88 THE FORESTS OF RUSSIA IN EUROPE 



Caucasus the Scots pine and P. halepensis. In this 

 latter region the pines are, however, of secondary im- 

 portance, spruces, firs, beech, and oak being the most 

 valuable species. The pines occur as pure woods 

 covering large areas. The birch forms a natural 

 mixture with the pine and is the most extended of 

 all the broad-leaved species in Russia. It is also 

 found in pure woods which are of great value in the 

 steppes of Western Siberia where it is accompanied 

 by the aspen, and is used for a variety of purposes. 

 With its light seed easily wind borne and its great 

 adaptability it spreads itself easily, occupying areas 

 newly felled over or burnt, etc. The birch grows to a 

 large size, as visitors to Petrograd and elsewhere in 

 Russia must be well aware. The tree in Russia pre- 

 sents very little of the appearance we are accustomed 

 to in these islands. As widespread as the birch is the 

 aspen, which covers large areas as pure and mixed 

 woods both in European and Asiatic Russia. The 

 areas of this species, like the birch, are increasing owing 

 to the extreme ease with which it reproduces itself. 

 It replaces the spruce in the north and the oak in the 

 south. On suitable soils it reaches a large girth and 

 height. 



The oak is far less widespread than the above 

 species. It is not found in the north nor beyond the 

 Urals. It is at its best in the south, where it forms 

 fine forests. Both European species, Q. pedunculata 

 and Q. sessiliflora, occur. In the Caucasus there are 

 several other species, Q. pubescens, Q. castanecefolia, 

 Q. armenica, Q. macr anther a, and Q. mongolica in the 

 Amur region. The larch takes a considerable place 



