NORTH AMERICAN FOREST TREES IN BRITAIN. l6r 



Ciipresms niacrocarpa, though it has scarcely been tried as a 

 forest tree, appears to be one of the most desirable species in the 

 milder parts of the British Isles, where it will produce with extreme 

 rapidity a large volume of valuable timber in situations at no 

 great elevation above sea-level. The wood is very durable, 

 being heavier than that of other cypresses, and possessing only 

 a faint odour. This tree grows naturally in a restricted area at 

 Monterey in California, between the sea-beach and the inland 

 belt of Pinus insigfiis, in a climate characterised by absence of 

 frost, frequent cloudy days, and an atmosphere kept humid by 

 the strong winds off the ocean. It is much hardier than its 

 natural habit would lead one to suppose, and has been planted 

 with success in many parts of the world as a wind-screen and 

 hedge plant. It grows readily from cuttings ; but seedlings are 

 preferable. From i lb. of seed costing a few shillings, 20,000 to 

 30,000 plants may be raised which are ready for planting out at 

 a year old, when they average 8-10 inches in height. The tree 

 appears to grow rapidly on most soils, succeeding even on hot 

 shallow chalk downs in Sussex. Planted close it forms clean 

 stems free from branches to a considerable height, as may be 

 seen in a mixed plantation at Enys, in Cornwall. A grove in 

 the Phoenix Park, 19 years planted, has trees ranging from 40 to 

 55 feet in height (Plate XVII. Fig. 3). 



Another valuable tree of the Pacific Coast region is Tsuga 

 Albertiana, which produces natural seedlings in many places 

 where it has been introduced. It appears to be a very 

 vigorous and healthy species, which can be used for under- 

 planting and in mixture with larch and other valuable timber 

 trees, as a fast-growing soil-improver. 



Pinus ponderosa has never been tried as a forest tree in this 

 country. Individual specimens in the southern half of England, 

 as at Arley Castle and Bayfordbury, have grown about as fast 

 and as tall as Corsican pine, attaining about 100 feet in height 

 and 8 to 10 feet in girth, in 70 or 80 years. If tried, the seed 

 might be obtained from stations in Washington, west of the 

 Cascade Mountains. 



Pinus miiricata grows in northern California in situations 

 described as " water-soaked sandy plains, covered with heath 

 plants." It might be tried on peat bogs, though their afforesta- 

 tion had better not be attempted at present, seeing that a large 



VOL. XXIX. PART II. L 



