of the Northern Forest 57 



kind of tree when that is the one best suited to the soil. 

 Thus we have evidence of the great value of the Beech 

 in woodlands of the home counties and in the forests of 

 Normandy. It is commonly believed that no shrub will 

 grow beneath the Beech, but this is happily not true, for 

 the best of all our evergreens, the Holly, often grows 

 well of its own choice in Beech woodlands, giving a pretty 

 effect in them, though its growth may be less vigorous 

 than where more exposed. As, however, little else will 

 grow under Beeches, those who care for the beauty of 

 the wood should add groups of seedling Hollies here 

 and there, for the sake of the pretty evergreen under- 

 growth that may be seen in some of the Berkshire Beech 

 woods and also in Epping Forest. 



A variety of the Beech has leaves of deep-bronze or 

 purple colour : it should be used sparingly, and I only 

 name it here because a certain number come true from 

 seed. Some which I have planted in that way promise 

 to take their place among forest trees, and being seed- 

 lings we may look forward to some variety of colour. 



Loose, gravelly, and permeable soils suit the Beech 

 best when fed with frequent rains; stiff, moist, and 

 swampy soils are not so good, though we may see it 

 sometimes thriving in such land. The chemical nature 

 of the soil is immaterial, and fine Beech trees are met 

 with upon sand, granite grit, chalk, and light soils ; but 

 chalky soils as of the Chiltern Hills and South Downs 

 suit it best. 



Stocks of young trees are usually abundant in forest 

 nurseries, and only upon the largest estates, or where 

 the soil is specially suited to the tree, is it worth while 

 to raise it from seed. 



The Ash. For its high economic value, beauty of form, 



