ACCIDENTS AND DISEASES 195 



and insect and fungoid attacks, but otherwise is 

 a healthy, long-lived tree. In certain seasons 

 the foliage is attacked by the oak-leaf roller 

 moth, which often strips the tree of its leaves 

 and renders it very unsightly. One of the 

 most destructive enemies of the oak is Polyporus 

 dryadeus^ which distils the juice of the tree in 

 drops and gradually drains its constitution. 

 P. quercinus is not so common, but quite a 

 formidable enemy. Oak timber is subject to 

 " shake," the result of unsuitable soil and 

 situation. Probably no other tree suffers so 

 much from the effects of wind, large branches 

 being frequently wrenched away from the stem, 

 and especially is this the case in old specimens. 

 The Turkey oak is, around London, even more 

 liable to disease than the common species, rot 

 and fungus being not uncommon. 



Hollow trunk is prevalent ; the best methods 

 of treating such, as also fungi and insect 

 attacks, are given under their various headings. 

 The timber decays slowly, and any work con- 

 nected with the tree, such as bracing heavy 

 limbs, filling hollows, and attending to insect 

 and fungoid pests, is amply paid for in the 



