CONIFEROUS FOREST TREES IN GREAT BRITAIN. 73 



much better results on the less fertile soils than the European 

 species. It likes a well-watered soil, but it is on areas having 

 a comparatively low rainfall that it compares most favourably 

 with its European cousin. Its upper elevation limit in this 

 country has still to be determined. In Japan it attains its 

 best development at elevations of 3000 feet above sea-level and 

 over. In Wales there are plantations, 30 years old, showing 

 satisfactory growth at an elevation of 1500 feet, but in other 

 parts of the country the limit may be lower. 



The growth habit of Japanese larch is coarse ; the branches 

 are more at right angles and are thicker than those of European 

 larch. Some foresters have attempted to remedy this by closer 

 planting, but this appears to be undesirable. The great object 

 should be to maintain the health of this exotic. The planting 

 distance and general treatment should therefore be as suggested 

 for European larch. The canopy of the Eastern species is 

 heavier than our own, hence it may not impoverish the soil to 

 the same extent. 



Owing to its growth habit the timber is rougher than that of 

 our own species. As far as experiments have been made, 

 however, the timber appears to be satisfactory for pit-wood. 

 In Japan it is used for sleepers, fencing posts, telegraph poles, 

 etc. 



In the author's opinion, where the growth of European larch 

 is satisfactory it should not be replaced by the Japanese species. 

 There appears to be a definite place for the latter species, viz. 

 where a short rotation is desired on the less fertile soils with 

 only a moderate or scanty rainfall. Investigations should be 

 made to determine how far this species can be used to replace 

 Scots pine on some areas where the growth of the latter species 

 does not give a satisfactory return. During the next 20 years 

 the existing plantations will show if there is to be a falling 

 off in height-growth in this country. A thorough study should 

 be made of the timber properties of the Japanese species. 

 Finally, every effort should be made to maintain its health. 

 It should not be planted at the bottoms of sheltered valleys or 

 overcrowded at any time during its life. 



SPRUCES. 



There are three spruce species of importance, viz. Norway 

 spruce, Sitka spruce, and white spruce. 



