TWO FOREST ARBORETUMS NEAR BRUSSELS. 5 



in the excellent arboretum pamphlet. At 20 years these trees 

 average 4 inches diameter by 26 feet high. 



Qiiercus pedunculata. The same timber growth as Qtierciis 

 sessiliflora, but not the same clear stems nor good covert. The 

 foliage is sparser than Quercus sessiliflora, and the growth 

 somewhat less. 



Quercus pedunculata var. '■'■ Chene de Juin." At 17 years the 

 average diameter of non-dominated stems is 3 inches and the 

 height 16 feet. Thus this late-leafing variety shows no 

 advantage in growth here over the common oak. 



Castanea vesca. Shows an uneven growth. At 15 years, 

 maximum 5 inches diameter by 22 feet high, down to trees of all 

 sizes. In Belgium, says M. Drion, it does best as copse. As in 

 Kent, timber trees are liable to disease and rot at the heart. It 

 is liable too when young to suffer from cold and spring frosts. 

 8-year-old chestnut copse sells in Belgium up to ^id the acre. 



Eobitiias. There is a good collection of various species and 

 varieties of Robinia here. They make a remarkable show with 

 a growth about equal to the common oaks. This is the best 

 collection of Robinias I have seen anywhere, not excepting those 

 at Kew. M. Drion says that it pays to plant this tree in Belgium, 

 while oak now does not pay — the private tree-grower. 



Robinia pseudacacia var. Bessoniana. At 2 1 years, averages for 

 dominating stems 6 inches diameter. Robinia pseudacacia at 

 18 years, 5 inches diameter. This result is not so good as one 

 might expect generally in Belgium. 



Larix leptohpis. A larger plot at 20 years old, has trees 

 averaging 4 inches or 5 inches diameter by 45 feet or 50 feet high, 

 and showing a grand growth with no apparent disease. It thus 

 averages between 2 feet and 2\ feet height-growth per year. 

 The best stems would now furnish telegraph poles. For its 

 tenderness to drought, see above. 



Picea sitchensis. Sitka spruce shows a good regular growth 

 but has had a leaf disease for the last two years, and is now 

 far from having the vigorous look of the common spruce. It 

 certainly does not look so well, nor has it nearly so good a 

 covert as Picea exceha (the common spruce) adjoining it. At 

 22 years it averages 5 inches diameter by 30 feet high at one end 

 of the plot, and 4 inches by 18 feet at the other : barely i foot per 

 year height-growth. 



Pinus Thunbergii, Shows a sturdy though somewhat stunted 



