524 ABIES NOBILIS. 



without being too formal ; it is dense with branchlets and foliage 

 without being sombre ; its dark green foliage with a soft glaucous 

 hue, often heightened to silvery whiteness under certain conditions 

 of soil and environment, is most distinct whether looked at alone 

 or in contrast to that of other trees ; its large handsome cones which 

 are produced freely even on comparatively young trees are a striking 

 ornament of this species. Numerous fine specimens scattered over 

 well nigh the whole of Great Britain and Ireland, attest its 

 adaptability to the British climate ; the average yearly increase in 

 height of the leader shoot varies from climatic and other causes from 

 15 to 25 inches and even more in localities particularly favourable for 

 its development. As the lowermost branches of the largest trees 

 growing in this country rarely exceed 25 feet in length, a space 

 with a radius a little more than this should be allowed for it 

 when planted for ornamental purposes.* 



One of the most remarkable arboreal effects produced by Abies noli/i* 

 to be seen in this country is an avenue formed of it at Madresfield 

 Court, the seat of Earl Beaucliamp, in Worcestershire. This avenue 

 was planted in 1868 and the height of the trees composing it now range 

 from 50 60 feet; the soil in which they are growing is a strong 

 loam approaching clay in consistency. The trees are arranged in two 

 rows, each row including twenty-five trees placed 45 feet apart ; the interval 

 between the rows is also 45 feet, a distance sufficient to allow a distinct 

 view of the whole from either end. The rate of growth of the 

 leaders and the spread of branches is remarkably uniform throughout; 

 the foliage of the youngest growths is highly glaucous, contrasting 

 strongly and effectively with the dark green of the older leaves. Both 

 staminate and ovuliferous flowers are produced in great quantities which 

 lend an additional feature- to the trees during the early summer. This 

 great fertility of the trees is doubtless owing, at least in part, to the 

 fact that they are all grafted on A. pectinate^ for as regards age, 

 they may still be considered to be in their infancy for Abies nobilis.j 

 The wood of Abies nobilis is light, hard, strong and rather close grained, 

 and coloured light brown streaked with red.} It is durable when well 

 seasoned and suited for architraves, panelling and framing, also for 

 doors, windows, and the interior finish of dwelling houses generally. 



* Among the finest individual trees worthy of especial mention, all of them over 70 feet high, 

 are the following:- In England at Monk Coniston, Lancashire; Penrhyn Castle, Linton Park, 

 Tortworth Court and Highnam Court, Gloucestershire. In Scotland at Haddo House, Coul 

 House, Ross-shire ; Dupplin Castle, Keir House, Murthly Castle, Ochtertyre and Scone 

 Palace in Perthshire. In Ireland at Fota Island, Birr Castle, Curraghmore. 



t It will be useful to place on record the following additional facts respecting this 

 remarkable avenue. The present condition of the trees, as the illustration shows, is most 

 satisfactory. Mr. Crump, the gardener to Earl Beaucliamp, informed the author that 

 towards the end of the "eighties" a very troublesome fungus came up thickly and 

 persistently in a circle around each tree ; to destroy this, a good coating of lime was first 

 applied, followed by a dressing of ground bones with two cart-loads of strong loam to each 

 tree with the result that the fungus was destroyed and the trees were invigorated. 

 Further care is taken in their preservation by the removal of many of the cones as they 

 appear. 



I Silva of North America, XII. 135. 



