244 A MANUAL OF FORESTRY. 



e. Reproductive Power. 



Oak commences producing full masts at an age of 

 about 70 years; they occur every three to six years, 

 and are heavy. On the whole, the power of repro- 

 duction by seed is fairly good. 



The reproduction by shoots is excellent ; the shoots 

 spring not only from the stool, but also from the trunk. 

 Stools retain the power of reproduction for a very long 

 time. 



f. Character and Composition of Woods. 



Oak is grown in pure woods, and in mixture with 

 other species. Owing to the decided light-requirement 

 of the Oak and its tendency to form a spreading crown it 

 opens out at a comparatively early age, generally between 

 the 40th and 60th years, when raised in crowded woods; 

 from that time onwards it cannot afford sufficient shelter 

 to the soil, which is liable to deteriorate during the 

 long period required to produce large- sized timber trees. 

 Hence Oak woods should be underplanted when the process 

 of opening out has set in, or the tree must be mixed with 

 species capable of preserving the fertility of the soil. 

 Amongst these, Beech is best, then come Hornbeam and 

 Silver Fir; Spruce is less suitable. 



Oak does splendidly in mixture with Beech, attaining 

 a great height and a clear bole of considerable length. 

 In some cases the Oak holds its own against the Beech, 

 in others it is liable to be outgrown ; in the latter case 

 the Oak must be placed in small groups, or given a start 

 of the Beech, by planting it pure and bringing in the 

 Beech when the Oak begins to thin out. 



