238 A MANUAL OF FORESTRY. 



stands between Beech and Ash, and in respect of mineral 

 matter in the soil, it is not quite so exacting as Beech. 

 Loams, sandy soils rich in humus, and marls suit it best; 

 here it attains its full development. At the same time 

 it is found on dry soils, though of inferior development, 

 and on heavy clay soils ; it frequently replaces Beech in 

 heavy soils and in frost localities. 



d. Shape and Development. 



The stem of the Hornbeam is generally divided into 

 branches comparatively low down. The general shape 

 of the tree, if grown in a favourable locality, approaches 

 that of the Beech ; on inferior soils it sinks down to an 

 insignificant tree, with a short bole and large crown. The 

 root- system on the whole is not deep -going ; there are 

 strong side roots which reach a moderate depth. 



It grows somewhat quicker than Beech during the first 

 years of life, but it rarely reaches a total height of more 

 than 75 feet. 



Its volume increment is considerably smaller than that 

 of Beech ; nor is Hornbeam so long lived as the latter. 



e. Reproductive Power. 



Hornbeam commences bearing full crops of seed when 

 about 40 years old, and it seeds plentifully almost every 

 year ; at any rate every other year, so that its power of 

 reproduction by seed is on the whole great. 



The reproduction from the stool is excellent ; the 

 shoots appear at any part which has been coppiced. The 

 stools last for hundreds of years. 



