246 TUANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISU ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



XII. The Comparative Value of Exotic Coyiiftrce as Ornamental 

 or Timber Trees in Britain. By A. D. Webster, Forester, 

 Holwood Estate, Kent. 



How difficult it is to \Aiu\t for future effect and utility is well 

 known to every arboriculturist, unless indeed we are content to 

 do as our forefathers did, and think it wiser, to prevent mistakes, 

 simply to copy where they have been successful. The wisdom of 

 such a policy, in most instances at least, we would not think of 

 denying; yet it will be agreed by all that it would be folly not to 

 give a fair trial to the many beautiful conifers introduced to Britain, 

 particularly during the past three-quarters of a century. 



The comparative value of exotic coniferjB as ornamental or 

 timber trees in Britain is to the arboriculturist a subject of vast 

 importance, but one that has as yet received little attention. 



That many of the newly introduced conifers are highly orna- 

 mental and useful in the embellishment of our parks and grounds, 

 and several of great value in commerce, is well known; although it 

 must be admitted that our knowledge of most of them is far from 

 perfect. In the following notes, the result of fifteen years' expe- 

 rience of these trees on three estates, where almost every species 

 had a fair trial, only such kinds are treated of as have some claim 

 on the arboriculturist for ornament or utility. In many cases, 

 owing to large numbers of certain conifers having been planted, 

 ample opportunity has been afforded for testing the quality of 

 wood produced, while as all three estates contained lowland and 

 mountainous ground, and in one case a considerable tract of peat 

 bog with a large area of chalk, the soils, altitudes, and situations 

 that are most suitable for each species have been carefully con- 

 sidered and duly noted from time to time. 



To render this paper concise and of easy reference, the names 

 of the trees have been arranged alphabetically, but not in 

 order of merit, either as ornamental or timber-producing species, 

 their comparative value in these respects being, however, duly 

 noted. This method of arrangement may seem unsatisftictory, 

 but in reality it is not so, for several conifers are both highly 

 ornamental and valuable for the quality of timber they produce ; 

 and it would in some measure involve a reiteration of statements 

 to treat such under the two headings of ornamental and useful. 



1. Abies Albertiuna (Prince Albert's Fir). — This graceful 

 conifer, with its drooping branches and delicate feathery sprays 



