CHAP, ii SYLVA 17 



I see a number of hags, where out of one root you 

 shall see three or four (nay more, such is men's un- 

 skilful greediness, who desiring many, have none 

 good) pretty oaks, or ashes streight and tall ; because 

 the root at the first shoot gives sap amain : But if 

 one onely of them might be suffered to grow, and 

 that well and cleanly prun'd, all to his very top, what 

 a tree should we have in time ? And we see by those 

 roots continually and plentifully springing, notwith- 

 standing so deadly wounded, what a commodity 

 should arise to the owner, and the Commonwealth, 

 if wood were cherished and orderly dressed. The 

 waste boughs closely and skilfully taken away, would 

 give us store of fences and fuel ; and the bulk of the 

 tree in time would grow of huge length and bigness: 

 But here (methinks) I hear an unskilful arborist say, 

 that trees have their several forms, even by nature ; 

 the pear, the holly, the aspe, Gfc. grow long in bulk, 

 with few and little armes. The oak by nature broad, 

 and such like. All this, I grant : But grant me also, 

 that there is a profitable end and use of every tree, 

 from which if it decline (though by nature) yet man 

 by art may (nay must) correct it. Now other end 

 of trees I could never learn, than good timber, fruit 

 much and good, and pleasure : uses physical hinder 

 nothing a good form. 



Neither let any man ever so much as think, that it 

 is unprofitable, much less unpossible, to reform any 

 tree of what kind soever : for (believe me) I have 

 tried it : I can bring any tree (beginning betime) to 

 any form. The pear, and holly may be made to 

 spread, and the oak to close. 



Thus far the good man out of his eight and forty 

 years experience concerning timber-trees : He des- 



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