SCRUB AND OLD OAK COPPICE WOODS. 5 1 



attaining an average size much over 12 to 14 cubic feet in from 

 sixty to seventy years. After that the volume increment is low. 

 Apart from consideration for the beauty which coppice and 

 scrub woods possess, their total removal has been delayed 

 mainly by financial considerations. No profitable market could 

 be got for the timber, and the price of bark would hardly do 

 more than repay the labour necessary to harvest it. The 

 present, however, seems to be an opportune time for the 

 removal of large areas of this, till recently, comparatively 

 worthless crop. The demands for timber are now great; 

 the mines require large quantities for props, and necessity has 

 compelled mine-owners to accept many kinds of timber at which 

 they formerly looked askance. The demand for high explosives 

 is likewise pressing, and the furthering of their output is a 

 national duty. 



Both the mine and wood-distillery owners can be given great 

 help by the utilisation of coppice and scrub woods. On the 

 other hand, the property owner may think of his own interests. 

 Prices for all kinds of timber are high, and this is especially so 

 for pit timbers. In addition almost anything will be accepted 

 for this purpose at present. It is not likely, however, that the 

 rougher classes of props will retain their present high prices for 

 long after the war. The price of conifer props will be likely to 

 fall more slowly, and in any case they will compete more 

 favourably with the imported material. Might it not be wise 

 to spare our coniferous woods to some extent? On these points 

 alone the owners of scrub and coppice woods have evidently 

 great opportunities for utilising these possessions or of con- 

 sidering their future. 



The areas they have endeavoured to train as high forest from 

 coppice deserve special attention. Their increment and general 

 condition should be carefully considered, and then if it is decided 

 to leave them, underplanting should be done as soon as possible. 

 The species selected for underplanting ought to be a shade- 

 bearer that will improve the soil and the overwood. It should 

 also be one that will produce a good monetary return. Of all 

 trees, beech is most likely to satisfy the silvicultural demands, 

 but to advise its use might not always be sound financially. 

 Others, such as silver firs. Thuja, Tsuga or Douglas fir might 

 be used. 



The scrub and neglected coppice woods are entitled to but 



