WOODS AND COPSES 



241 



derived from woodland vegetation. It is pro- 

 bable that moisture and altered light-and-heat 

 conditions have played as important a part as 

 that of the absence of humus. 



Woodlands also affect the water content and 

 physical character of the soil, preventing it 

 from becoming pulverized. All these points 

 should be carefully explained. 



Causes of Cutting Down of Woodlands. 

 When the original area of woodland is com- 

 pared with its extent to-day (there are fourteen 

 national forests of insignificant total acreage) 

 it is obvious that the cause of the reduction in 

 forests has been multiple. 



Primarily there was the need for wood for 

 fuel. In Saxon or Norman times, or later 

 even, only the churches, castles, &c., were 

 built of stone, and wood was used for dwell- 

 ings. From Alfred's day, also, till the time 

 of Nelson there was a constant demand upon 

 the forests for ship-building. Incidentally, 

 hunting and similar causes were responsible 

 for the clearing, of forests; and the need for 

 cultivating, especially from the Conqueror's 

 time, has finished the work of depletion. 



Woodlands the Origin of many Fruit Trees, 

 &c. The origin of many of the fruit trees 

 of this country is wrapt in obscurity. It is 

 certain, however, that some, such as the 

 Cherry, were introduced from the south of 

 Europe, and the apples, plums, pears, peaches, 

 &c., that have been cultivated and improved 

 in orchards and kitchen gardens for centuries 

 have lost their original characters. 



De Candolle has traced the history of many 

 of them by the comparative method, and if we 

 regard the quasi-wild or truly wild species, 

 such as the Crab, Wild Plum, Wild Pear, it 

 will be found that they are largely reversions 

 to a wild stock from cultivated plants. None 

 the less, there are a number of the smaller 

 fruit trees, such as the Sloe or Bullace, Rasp- 

 berry, Hazel, that certainly originated in our 

 woodlands, whilst the Currant and Goose- 

 berry, and the Plum are found in a wild state 

 to-day. 



The Value of Woodlands. Reference is made 

 elsewhere to some of the causes of the dis- 

 appearance of woodlands, which is one proof of 

 their value, economically considered. Another 

 reason for their preservation, to which allusion 

 has also been made, is their effect in preserving 

 moisture. 



A very prominent feature of woodlands also 

 is their beauty, and it is to be hoped that the 

 efforts to preserve beauty spots which has been 

 so well begun by the National Trust will be 

 fostered and extended in the future. The 

 afforestation of the whole country on scientific 

 lines is urgently required. The rising genera- 



tion may lend their support by taking part in 

 Arbor Day, or the planting of trees on festive 

 occasions. 



Natural and Artificial Woodlands. It is very 

 important that a careful distinction should be 

 drawn between woods that are natural and 

 those that are artificial. Natural woodlands 

 upon clay and loam commonly consist of the 

 pedunculate Oak, while on sandy soil sessile 

 Oak prevails. This may occur also on siliceous 

 soils, which are also characterized by Birch 

 scrub. Heathy tracts also consist of Birch in 

 some areas, and on gravelly soils of the Pine. 

 Ash is the principal tree in limestone areas, 

 and also occurs on chalk. But the chief tree 

 on chalk and oolite is the Beech. 



Where such conditions occur, the woodlands 

 may be regarded as natural. 



All these trees are likewise found in a planted 

 state, but an examination of the ground flora 

 and scrub will reveal this as a rule. The 

 coniferous woods and plantations, except Pine 

 and Yew (the latter found on the chalk), are 

 artificial also. The distinguishing of the 

 characters of a wood will be an excellent piece 

 of work if skilfully directed. 



The Home of the Lower Plants. Woodlands 

 are the particular resort of a variety of Crypto- 

 gams. The whole group of Fungi are espe- 

 cially fond of moisture, and as they can grow 

 in the shade they flourish in the woodlands. 

 They are to be found on the trunks of the 

 trees, to which they do a great deal of harm. 

 Old stumps are especially the habitat of many 

 fungi that flourish upon the putrescent wood. 

 Upon the sticks or dead (or living) under- 

 growth a large number of the microscopic 

 forms are to be found. Upon the grounds the 

 agarics and peziziform fungi grow, and the 

 beautiful earth-stars. 



Lichens grow well in woodlands upon the 

 trunks, and where the woods are rocky on the 

 rocks. They need a clear atmosphere and 

 moisture. Here, too, those delicate, moisture- 

 loving plants known as Hepatics or Liverworts 

 are particularly at home. They grow upon 

 the base of the tree-trunks, amongst the under- 

 growth, on rocks, and upon the bare ground, 

 in open clearings and rides. The same re- 

 marks apply to Mosses. Horsetails and Ferns 

 are especially fond of moist habitats that are 

 to be found in woods. 



Animal Life of the Wood. In all types of 

 vegetation there is an intimate connection be- 

 tween the plant and the animal life, but the 

 woodlands are the especial resort of many 

 types of animal life. The density of the woods 

 compared with the openness of the meadow or 

 pasture affords an additional means of protec- 

 tion. It is in the woods that those animals 



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