140 PROTECTION OF WOODS AGAINST FROST, 



hoeing the surface periodically to prevent it caking; or, if 

 absolutely necessary, by watering the plants in the evening ; 

 if this is done the watering must be effective as it is useless 

 to give a mere sprinkling. 



WINDS AND STORMS 



There are three types of wind dry east and north-east 

 winds ; sea-breezes carrying salt ; and westerly or south- 

 westerly gales which do serious harm to woods in the British 

 Isles ; the woodman should take every possible precaution to 

 reduce such damage to a minimum. 



The chief measures to be taken against dry east winds and 

 against sea-breezes have been indicated in Chapter II, the 

 main object being to form an efficient wind-break some twelve 

 to fifteen years in advance of the regeneration of the woods 

 behind them. In existing young woods, where it is too late 

 to form a shelter belt of evergreen trees, every endeavour 

 should be made to keep the east and north-east sides in as 

 thick a condition as possible by reducing thinnings to a 

 minimum along a belt 40 to 50 feet wide, and by carefully 

 preserving all undergrowth which springs up. 



East winds prevail in spring and dry up the soil, blow 

 dead leaves away from ridges and slopes and thus prevent 

 the formation of humus, hinder the formation of dew, injure 

 the foliage and flowers, and if planting is going on they dry 

 up the roots unless precautions are taken. Together with 

 other winds they spread the spores of fungi. Broad-leaved 

 trees suffer more than conifers from such winds, while 

 seedlings, young transplants, and young coppice shoots suffer 

 more than older trees. 



Storms are more serious and are more difficult to deal 

 with, as the power of the woodman is limited, and he cannot 

 hope to overcome successfully the force of nature. Never- 

 theless a good deal can be done to reduce damage. Storms 

 either break trees or uproot them, and if a large quantity of 



