284 A MANUAL OF FORESTRY. 



woods. It is used in Britain for a variety of purposes, 

 principally as boards, planks and rafters. Used for 

 the manufacture of paper. It yields inferior firewood. 

 Strasburg turpentine is obtained from this tree. 



b. Distribution. 



It is found naturally in temperate Europe between 

 the 36 and 52 of latitude. It is not indigenous in 

 Britain ; said to have been introduced nearly 300 years 

 ago (1603 according to Brown). In its natural home it 

 is a tree of the lower mountains, ascending to 2,500 feet 

 in Central Germany, over 4,000 feet in the Alps, and 

 6,000 feet in the Pyrenees. 



c. Locality. 



Climate. Silver Fir requires a fairly warm climate, 

 and stands in this respect near the Beech. It is much 

 exposed to late and early frosts, and is also tender as 

 regards drought. It stands a great amount of shade, 

 even more than Beech; in fact more than any other 

 forest tree mentioned in this chapter. It requires a 

 certain amount of moisture in the air, but not so much 

 as Spruce. Northern and eastern aspects suit it best. 

 It is fairly storm-firm. 



Soil. Silver Fir requires a deep, fresh and fertile 

 soil, rather binding than loose. Loamy soils suit it best, 

 though it will do well on sandy soils, if fresh. Dry or 

 acid soils do not suit it. 



