SYLVICULTURAL NOTES ON LARCH. 311 



from late frosts in low lands owing to its very early 

 sprouting in spring. It is highly light-demanding, in 

 fact more so than any other British timber tree. The 

 climatic conditions required by Larch have been much 

 discussed. The majority of foresters believe that it 

 prefers a dry atmosphere, a f^ee and airy position, and 

 northern and eastern aspects. It is more storm-firm 

 than the other conifers. 



Soil. Larch requires a deep, fairly porous, and 

 moderately fresh soil ; it avoids wet as well as dry soil. 

 It is fairly exacting as regards the general fertility of 

 the soil ; loamy soil containing a good proportion of 

 potash and lime suits it best ; in its natural home it is 

 much found on stony soils, provided they are fresh. 



The natural home of the Larch enjoys only a short 

 growing season, with a late and very short spring and 

 comparatively hot clear summer. These are condi- 

 tions which seem to suit it. Britain, on the other hand, 

 shows a much longer growing season, especially a long 

 spring, a moister atmosphere and a more cloudy summer 

 in other words conditions which are altogether 

 different from those prevailing in the natural home of 

 the Larch. It is not astonishing, therefore, that this 

 valuable tree, although it grows most vigorously, suffers 

 excessively from disease in Britain, as will be indicated 

 under t. 



d. Shape and Development 



Larch has an undivided stem, with a conical thin 

 crown ; the lower part of the stem is frequently curved 

 where the tree is exposed to wind. In crowded woods 



