THE CULTIVATION OF THE OAK 149 
to cut back oaks, and allow them to sprout into what is 
known as coppice—that is to say, numerous buds which 
would not have developed at all are impelled to grow 
up into twigs and branches (stool-shoots) from the lower 
parts of the cut tree. It was very usual at one time to 
grow oak in this way for the sake of the bark, which 
was employed in tanning, the trees being cut back again 
and again, and renewing the coppice growth after each 
cutting. 
There are various other modes of growing oak in 
forests, but, whatever the system employed, the following 
facts have to be borne in mind and provided for. The 
oak is a tree that requires a soil of great depth, and 
sufficiently open to allow of the free penetration of air 
and water to the subsoil; consequently many soils, 
otherwise rich enough, are unsuited for the culture of 
this tree. Again, young seedlings and plants are apt 
to suffer from frost unless they are protected by suitable 
mixtures of other plants; but such mixtures must be 
chosen properly, for this tree demands light and space 
to a degree greater than most other European trees 
except the larch, birch, and one or two others, and 
rapidly suffers if shaded or unduly crowded. Further, 
as compared with other European trees the oak is a tree 
of the plains, and requires a relatively high temperature. 
These requirements also accord with its adaptation to 
deep, rich, well-drained soil, and, taking it all round, we 
have to regard the oak as a tree which makes consider- 
able demands on the locality (soil and climate) where 
