174 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



In practice, therefore, the actual treatment of the coppice areas 

 is a somewhat difficult question, and must be modified by the 

 fact that in the higher and lighter localities, in spite of the 

 Regisseur's condemnation, the oak is not deteriorating and is 

 perhaps more than holding its own. 



A strip of oak high-forest forms the northern border of the 

 southern block. The trees, now about 28 years old, are 

 some 22 feet high, and, notwithstanding the northern aspect 

 and damp situation, are prospering, and have shown a 

 decided increment during the last 3 years. This strip should 

 certainly be left as it is. It will probably ultimately produce 

 fine trees, such as are now found in a similar small block 

 bordering the railway about a mile to the west of the village. 

 The development here is most satisfactory, but the block is 

 in need of an immediate thinning — light but sufficient to free 

 the crowns of the dominating stems. Unless the necessary 

 steps are taken here without delay, this compartment will lose its 

 capacity to produce fine boles during the present revolution, and 

 will deteriorate into a collection of mediocre and suppressed trees. 



The pine throughout the forest is thoroughly healthy and of 

 strong growth, and shows every evidence of being suited to the 

 environment. The stocking, however, is forthe most part too dense, 

 and throughout the felling areas generally thinnings are indicated 

 — in some cases they should be made without furtlier delay. For 

 instance, the Compartment de Chauvelliere in the northern block 

 is so densely stocked that, although the height is very fairly 

 satisfactory, the stems are no thicker than bean-poles, and if 

 relief is not at once afforded by a comparatively heavy cleaning, 

 the whole crop will probably be destroyed by the very intensity 

 of its present struggle for existence. At 65 years the pine has 

 an average height of 40 feet of workable bole, with a circumference 

 of 3 feet, and there is no reason to suppose that this is the local 

 limit of its maturity. On the contrary, whatever may be 

 ultimately decided upon as io the object of management and 

 requisite method of treatment, the extension of the rotation for 

 at least another 15 years seems advisable. 



Apart from any theorising on the point, practical evidence ot 

 the result of such a measure is forthcoming in the Compartment 

 des Bruyeres des Gats (south block). For some reason the final 

 crop has been left to the age of 84 years. The girth here 

 averages over 5 feet and the height of the workable bole 60 feet : 



