DROUGHT, STORMS, AND FIRES 141 



timber is thrown in a gale the market is glutted, and the 

 price obtainable for the timber is small ; this adds con- 

 siderably to the loss sustained. In addition, large blanks 

 may be made in the woods ; and large trees may fall on 

 young growth and injure it. In coniferous woods, owing to 

 the large amount of dead timber lying about, insects may 

 increase rapidly, and thus cause damage to other standing 

 woods. The chief damage is, however, done by the stunting 

 effect of wind, as trees grown in exposed places will be short 

 and misshapen and of small volume. 



Conifers and evergreen trees suffer from storms more than 

 broad-leaved and deciduous trees, while shallow-rooted trees 

 are more easily uprooted than those with deep roots. Ash, 

 sycamore, Norway maple, alder, lime, and oaks are fairly 

 storm firm. Trees grown always in the open resist storms 

 better than those which have grown up in a dense wood, and 

 which have then been opened out. 



The following protective measures should be carefully 

 carried out, as the fight against storms must be begun when 

 the woods are planted, and must be continued throughout 

 their life. 



Measures to be taken while forming woods. 



1. In places where storms are specially bad, plant broad- 

 leaved species in preference to conifers. 



2. Plant the trees on the exposed edge at distances rather 

 far apart, at least 6 feet, so as to encourage them to grow 

 sturdy. 



3. Mix deep-rooted species with shallow-rooted ones ; thus, 

 mix beech, sycamore, or Scotch pine, with spruce. In spruce 

 woods five or six rows of a deep-rooted species may be 

 planted across the storm direction every one hundred and 

 fifty yards. 



4. Form protective belts, if none already exist, along all 

 exposed sides and along roads. 



