156 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



20. The Importance of Plantation Margins. 



By Alexander Murray. 



The most important matter connected with the rearing of 

 plantations undoubtedly lies in the selection of suitable species 

 for the margins, together with their after management. Unless 

 this important matter is carried out on sound principles, it is 

 hopeless to expect any plantation to reach maturity and produce 

 the best commercial timber. In fact the whole life of the 

 plantation, till it reaches maturity, may be said to be entirely 

 dependent on the stability of the margins. 



A great deal has been written on the varieties of trees which 

 should be grown and the best methods of treatment ; but seldom, 

 if ever, has any reference been made to the formation and 

 management of margins. Both in theory and in practice do we 

 find that margins have been neglected. The trees forming these 

 are generally the same species as are found in the interior of 

 the plantation, and, what is often worse, the treatment meted out 

 to them is often the reverse of what is required to train a 

 substantial wind-screen. 



It is generally found that the practice has been to thin the 

 interior and leave the marginal trees close together, especially 

 in exposed situations, in order that they may break the blast 

 and give shelter to the interior. Under this treatment the trees 

 become drawn-up, tall and slender, the side branches are 

 destroyed, the trees become stunted in growth and covered with 

 lichens, there is no room for root development, and, instead of 

 forming a barrier to the wind, they are themselves laid low. 



The lack of a good margin allows the wind to have full play 

 underneath, so that the forest floor is swept clean for a consider- 

 able distance. The soil is thus robbed of that important part 

 of a forest soil — the humus layer. 



It has been well said by Sir Andrew Agnew, in his Introduction 

 to Forestry for Young People, that by far the worst enemy of 

 trees in Great Britain is the wind. Our woods and plantations 

 will always be exposed to the danger of violent gales. This is 

 a matter over which we have no control. We must, therefore, 

 do our utmost to provide the best means of protection and 

 reduce such damage to a minimum. This can only be done by 

 the selection of species capable of resisting storms and violent 

 gales. The treatment of these must be such as to encourage 



