192 Esthetic Forestry 



ing as far as possible species of native growth, or at least 

 closely related to those which occur in the woodland itself, 

 and such as are surely adapted to climate and soil. In 

 studying the native flora, suggestions will readily come. 



If the object is to fill out an open growth at the base, it is 

 essential to plant only shade-enduring trees and shrubs, such 

 as the Rhododendrons {e.g. R. acerifoliiim and alnifolium) , 

 Azaleas, Philadelphus, Daphne and Privet, and some of the 

 \'iburnums among the shrubs; and of trees the Yew, Holly, 

 Spindle-tree, Blue Beech, Ironwood, Dogwood, with such 

 small trees as Service-tree, White and Black Thorn, and 

 Mountain-ash. In front and in the more open places may 

 be planted some of the more light-demanding shrubs. 



Although the interior is to be left to Nature as far as pos- 

 sible, yet it requires the correcting hand of man in impro\'- 

 ing the composition. It goes without saying that decrepit 

 and crippled specimens and all dead wood must be removed, 

 for these are unsightly features; but occasionally malforma- 

 tions, such as a gnarly oak, or a low-topped, spreading beech, 

 may recommend themselves for retention on account of 

 their picturesqueness. 



We have to reahze that constant change is the law of nature, 

 and that therefore a natural woodland never remains as it 

 is, any more than does a formal park; nor can we in any 

 way avoid the change, although we can give it direction by 

 the timely use of the axe and possibly of the planting tool. 



In a previous chapter it was pointed out that the differ- 

 ent species of trees can be classified as to the amount of 

 light they need or of shade which they can endure. In 

 addition, we can also classify them according to the persist- 

 ency of height growth and, to some extent, to the persistency 

 of life. With such classification of the species which we 

 find in our woodland, we can predict the likelihood of the 



