I 



t VOL. XVIII. (i) FORESTRY 6i 



dense, as the oak must not have much light. Beech is, there- 

 fore, planted below the oak, and as it grows it maintains the 

 density of the wood, and its fallen rotting leaves form a leaf 

 mould or humus, which improves the soil and acts as a manure 

 ' to the oak. The beech will, eventually, catch up the oak, and 



; both are felled together when the oak is aged about 120 years 



and the beech about 80 to 90 years. Only flciurishing young 

 ] woods are worth underplanting. Most English woods have 



been over-thinned, and the struggle for existence having thus 

 ; been stopped, the trees are only half as tall as they should be. 



' Also, they are too branchy, and there is far too small a volume 



j per acre. The soil has usually deteriorated owing to the ab- 



sence of humus. The climate and soil in England is excellent 

 for the growth of trees, and, with proper management, the 

 results can be just as good as on the Continent. 



