AS TIMBER TREES IN GREAT BRITAIN. 53 



This conifer is generally admitted to have been introduced into 

 this country about the year 1835. Its native habitats are Lower 

 Austria, Styria, Moravia, Corinthia, Transylvania, and the south of 

 Europe generally. It is a most useful variety, whether shelter, 

 timber, or ornament is the object mainly in view in planting. In 

 its young state it is of rapid growth, acquiring in a few years a 

 heavy rounded head, and being rather weak-rooted, like most of 

 the fast growing pines, it is apt to become "winded" in exposed 

 situations in rich soil. In fact, an old and hard-headed Scotch 

 forester once remarked to us, referring to Pinus austriaca, — " Eh, 

 sir ! it's hard to keep her on her feet, when young, in exposed bits !" 

 This habit of forming a dense, heavy top when young is productive 

 also of another evil, for such a mode of growth must engender the 

 formation and encouragement of many side branches, and so detract 

 from the value and bulk of wood in the trunk. As an ornamental 

 pine, Pinus austriaca is undoubtedly a great acquisition ; its dark, 

 rich green foliage, its dense head of massive contour, its strong side- 

 shoots, and its rapid rank growth, all contribute to render it a tree 

 of desirable habit for effective purposes ; but we fear that when 

 compared for economic purposes with the other two species referred 

 to in this paper, it will be found deficient in quality, texture, and 

 durability. 



The soil in which Pinus austriaca nourishes in its native habitats 

 is a thin cold dry soil, of sandy or gravelly tendency ; and in such 

 situations it will thrive admirably, and succeed as a timber tree, 

 much better than in rich alluvial deep soil, although more sheltered. 

 In fact, it appears impatient of mild sheltered positions, preferring 

 those apparently less suitable for the growth of timber. As already 

 stated, it is not so well adapted for situations much exposed to heavy 

 prevailing winds, being weak and shallow-rooted in its younger state, 

 and at the same time densely clothed with close umbrageous foliage, 

 which renders it not unfrequently what might be termed "top-heavy." 



In localities suitable for its development, and not exposed to 

 heavy winds, Pinus austriaca will attain a greater height than the 

 Scots fir (P. sylvestris), and is of equally, if not more, rapid growth. 

 The wood is inclined to coarseness, but is tough and firm in texture, 

 rather knotty, but of more commercial value for country purposes 

 than the timber of equal age of either larch generally or the Scots 

 fir. As compared with the Corsican pine (P. Laricio), the growth 

 of the Austrian pine is not more rapid, and it is less suitable for 

 exposed situations. Pinus austriaca in habit and value more 



