MANAGEMENT OF DECAYING TREES 5 



larly liable to injury and disease, for not only 

 have they to do battle above ground with a 

 chemically impure atmosphere, but in many 

 instances the soil, composed largely of broken 

 bricks, clinkers, and gravel, is surcharged with 

 gaseous matter and ill fitted for maintaining 

 a healthy condition of tree life. 



The encroachments of the builder have 

 caused whole forests of ancient trees to dis- 

 appear of late years, and many of the remain- 

 ing specimens have become so injured and dis- 

 eased by drainage and excavation operations 

 that, in both urban and suburban districts, 

 one-half of the older trees are either dead or 

 dying. Gas, drainage, and other pipes have 

 much to answer for beneath ground ; but the 

 carelessness of the builder, teamster, and road- 

 maker is also responsible for the decay and 

 death of many a noble tree. 



But equally bad, though perhaps less im- 

 portant, is the condition of many trees in our 

 older forests and woodlands. We have only 

 to examine the occupants of such places as 

 Epping Forest, Sherwood, Burnham Beeches, 

 or the remains of the old Kentish and other 



