52 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARIiORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



little consideration on the score of their future forest value. 

 They and the rejected trained coppice woods should be taken 

 in hand immediately. 



Before commencing cutting it would be well to draw up some 

 definite scheme of operations showing how the areas will be 

 restocked. Then, on those parts where hardy light-demanders 

 such as larch and Scots pine are to be planted, clear-cutting 

 may be practised. In other parts where species at all likely to 

 be affected by frost are to be planted, an endeavour should be 

 made to leave shelter trees. These may be few or many 

 according to their height and size of crown. In no case should 

 large trees be left, since they are troublesome to remove and 

 always leave blanks in the young crop. 



As an example of the number required, I might mention a 

 case in which about forty to fifty trees, averaging 22 feet in 

 height, were found sufficient. Such a shelter is a boon to young 

 plants, and their growth is very much improved. In particular 

 is this the case with Sitka and Norway spruces, Douglas fir, 

 Tsuga, Thuja, and the various silver firs. 



The following is a striking example of the value of light 

 overhead shelter of this kind. On a low-lying area on the 

 shores of the Moray Firth an attempt was made to grow Sitka 

 spruce. Owing to frost the result was utter failure, except on a 

 small part where natural birch grew. The forester thinned 

 out the birch and planted the spruces, with such good results 

 that not over two pet cent. died. I would also refer in this 

 connection to Mr Macdonald's article in Vol. xix., page 287, 

 of the TraJisactions. On Murthly estates coppice woods have 

 been used with great success as shelters. The shelter trees 

 ought to be left till all danger of frost is past, and then removed 

 gradually so that any felling does not expose the plants 

 unnecessarily. 



In utilising the scrub and coppice woods all possible economy 

 should be practised. A good selection should be made of the 

 timber, classifying it into pit-wood, bends for small boat-building, 

 chemical wood or firewood, and timber for turning mills, etc. 

 In the case of birch even the twigs are useful and can readily 

 be sold to steel works. It is by taking timely advantage of all 

 markets that most will be made out of timber and other forest 

 products. 



