CHAPTER XI 



SYLVICULTURAL NOTES ON THE BROAD- 

 LEAVED TREES 



Acacia, False Acacia or Locust-tree (Robinia pseudacacid). 



A native of North America, introduced into Great Britain 

 in 1638. It requires a good deal of warmth, and should be 

 grown only in situations with a mild climate, and is more 

 suitable for the south of England than further north. South 

 aspects are best. It is frost-tender, and requires shelter when 

 young. It is highly light-demanding. Deep, dry, light, and 

 moderately rich soil suits it best, but it grows fairly well on 

 poor sandy soils. 



It produces good seed, which should be kept in the pod 

 until it is sown ; it coppices well and throws up numerous 

 suckers. It can be grown in high forest mixed with pines in 

 groups, and is useful as a belt along railway lines running 

 through pine woods where there is danger of fire. It does 

 well as standards-over-coppice, and also as coppice, it not 

 shaded by standards. It is a very ornamental tree, and can 

 be grown in parks and along the edges of plantations. 



It does not suffer much from attacks of insects or fungi, but 

 is often damaged by rabbits. It is ripe for the axe at about 

 forty to sixty years in high forest, and at from ten to twenty- 

 five years in coppice, small sizes being useful for hoops for 

 casks, and for hop-poles. 



Alder (Alnus glutinosa). 



A native of Great Britain and of Europe, it is found up to 

 an elevation of 1,600 feet in Scotland. It is hardy against 

 frost, but cannot stand drought. Any aspect will suit it. It is 



