THE CULTIVATION OF THE OAK 149 



to cut back oaks, and allow them to sprout into what is 

 known as coppice that is to say, numerous buds which 

 would not have developed at all are impelled to grow 

 up into twigs and branches (stool-shoots) from the lower 

 parts of the cut tree. It was very usual at one time to 

 grow oak in this way for the sake of the bark, which 

 was employed in tanning, the trees being cut back again 

 and again, and renewing the coppice growth after each 

 cutting. 



There are various other modes of growing oak in 

 forests, but, whatever the system employed, the following 

 facts have to be borne in mind and provided for. The 

 oak is a tree that requires a soil of great depth, and 

 sufficiently open to allow of the free penetration of air 

 and water to the subsoil; consequently many soils, 

 otherwise rich enough, are unsuited for the culture of 

 this tree. Again, young seedlings and plants are apt 

 to suffer from frost unless they are protected by suitable 

 mixtures of other plants ; but such mixtures must be 

 chosen properly, for this tree demands light and space 

 to a degree greater than most other European trees 

 except the larch, birch, and one or two others, and 

 rapidly suffers if shaded or unduly crowded. Further, 

 as compared with other European trees the oak is a tree 

 of the plains, and requires a relatively high temperature. 

 These requirements also accord with its adaptation to 

 deep, rich, well-drained soil, and, taking it all round, we 

 have to regard the oak as a tree which makes consider- 

 able demands on the locality (soil and climate) where 



