256 A MANUAL OF FORESTRY. 



summit of the tree, and working down the trunk year 

 by year. Of fungi nothing need be mentioned. 



Elm generally holds its own against the species with 

 which it is usually mixed, but from middle age upwards 

 it must be given a liberal growing space by thinning 

 away the other species to a sufficient extent. 



6. SWEET CHESTNUT = Castanea vesca (Grertn.). 

 a. Utility. 



The Chestnut yields a fairly hard, moderately heavy 

 timber, specific gravity, air-dried, = '66, splits well, 

 durable. Used for building, in carpentry, staves for 

 wine-casks, vine-stakes, hop-poles, &c. It is not a very 

 good firewood, but the charcoal is much appreciated by 

 blacksmiths. The bark is used for tanning. The fruit 

 is eaten. 



I. Distribution. 



Asia, Europe, North America. In Europe it is indi- 

 genous in the south and west ; introduced into Britain, 

 where the fruit rarely ripens fully. It rises to 2,800 feet 

 in the Alps. 



In its natural home the Chestnut is a tree of the lower 

 hills and mountains, preferring northern and eastern 

 aspects, rarely found in the low lands. 



c. Locality. 



Climate. Eequires a mild climate, is tender against 

 late and early frost and also severe winter cold ; drought 

 also does not suit it. Chestnut is a light-demanding 

 tree, but less so than Oak. During youth it stands 



