VII 



TREES AND THEIR BUSINESS METHODS 



IN the tree world, as in the human, business suc- 

 cess depends upon such factors as heredity, en- 

 vironment, education, ambition and working meth- 

 ods. Some trees like the scrub oak seem satisfied 

 with eking out a bare existence on some lone hill- 

 side. Others, like the giant redwoods, grow to 

 magnificent proportions and become the millionaire 

 capitalists of the forest. Behind each is a story 

 of influences and selective development stretching 

 back to the creation. Each tree and many human 

 beings are largely the product of forces over which 

 they have no control. 



In the case of a tree, there are a thousand im- 

 presses bearing on its life. To begin with, mys- 

 teriously wrapped up in the seed or nut is a fac- 

 simile of its immediate forbears with minor devia- 

 tions harking back to remote ancestors. As soon 

 as the seedling emerges from its temporary prison 

 it sets out to realise its predetermined structure. 

 If it were growing under a glass dome with an 



