302 The Trees of Great Britain and Irdand 



become old and partially decayed, or when the land is poor, such shoots are not 

 likely to attain any size. The best example I know of an oak wood produced 

 entirely from stools is one below the approach to Carclew in Cornwall, which 

 the late Colonel Tremayne showed me in 1902. Here the trees average 

 15 to 20 feet apart, and have clean boles 25 to 30 feet high, and are about 

 4 feet in girth. 



Marsham's opinion on the growth of oaks, taken from a paper printed in 

 the Philosophical Transactions, are so much to the point, and his personal experience 

 was spread over such a very long period (from 1719 to 1795) that I quote him 

 as follows : ^ 



" In 1 7 19 I had about two acres sowed with acorns, and from 1729 to 1770 

 I planted oaks from this grove, always leaving the best plants standing for the 

 future grove ; but most of the transplanted trees are already larger than those that 

 were not removed ; the largest of which is now (1795) but 5 feet 6 inches 8 tenths 

 in circumference; and the largest transplanted tree (which was planted in 1735) is 

 8 feet 8 inches 7 tenths, viz., near 38 inches gained by transplanting in 60 years. 

 And in beeches from seed, in 1733, the largest is now (1795) but 6 feet 9 inches; 

 and the largest transplanted beech is 7 feet 5 inches i tenth, viz., 8 inches larger, 

 although the transplanted beech is eight years younger than that from the seed. 

 This proves that it is better to plant a grove than to raise one from the seed. The 

 expense of planting is inconsiderable, and the planted trees are full as good and 

 handsome, and many years are saved, besides the extra growth of planted trees. 

 But this extra growth will not prove near so great in groves as in single trees. The 

 first grove I planted from these acorns of 1719, was in 1731. In 1732 I made 

 another grove from them, and in 1735 I planted a third grove from them, and 

 in 1753 the last considerable number of plants were taken from the grove, and 

 these are very good trees : so thirty-four years may be saved. But I would by no 

 means advise the planting trees so large, as the trouble and expense will be too 

 much, unless where a shelter or screen is wanted. 



" Whether a grove is to be raised from seeds or planted, it is advisable to 

 shelter it round ; if from the seed, with such sorts as will grow quicker ; and if by 

 planting, with larger and taller trees. The soil in Norfolk is unfavourable to elms ; 

 therefore in planting I will venture to recommend hornbeams, as they may be 

 planted large trees. I planted some hornbeams (rather large) in 1757, and, disliking 

 their situation, in 1792 I removed them when they were about three feet in 

 circumference, and did not lose one tree ; and they made shoots of near half a yard 

 that year ; but I ought to say I cut off their heads. 



" Before I quit this subject, I will presume to recommend, if young oaks are 

 unthriving, there is reason to hope they may be helped by cutting them down to a foot 

 or six inches ; for in 1750 I planted some oaks from my grove of 17 19 into a poorer 

 soil, and although they lived they were sickly ; so in 176 1 I cut most of them down 

 to one foot, and then by cutting off the side shoots, in three or four years led them 

 into a single stem, and most of them are now thriving and handsome trees, and you 



' Phil. Trans. 1797, pp. 128-152. 



