24 S Y L V A BOOK in 



CHAPTER III. 



Of the Age^ Stature^ and Felling of Trees. 



i . The age of trees, except of the coniferous, (for 

 the most part known by the degrees of their tapering 

 branches) is vulgarly reckoned by the number of solar 

 revolutions, or circles ; the former bark being digested 

 and compacted into lignous and woody substance, 

 which is annually invested by a succeeding bark ; 

 which yet in some is not finished so soon as in other 

 trees, as we find in the oak, elm, pine, plum-trees, 

 &c. which exceed one another in growth, however 

 coaequal in years ; But of this hereafter. In the 

 mean time, it is not till a tree is arriv'd to his perfect 

 age and full vigor, that the lord of the forest should 

 consult or determine concerning a felling. For there 

 is certainly in trees (as in all things else) a time of 

 increment, or growth ; a status or season when they 

 are at best, (which is also that of felling) and a 

 decrement or period when they decay. To the first 

 of these they proceed with more or less velocity, as 

 they consist of more strict and compacted particles, 

 or are of a slighter and more laxed contexture ; by 

 which they receive a speedier or slower defluxion of 

 aliment. This is apparent in box, and willow ; the 

 one of a harder, the other of a more tender substance: 

 But as they proceed, so they likewise continue. By 

 the state of trees I would signifie their utmost effort, 

 growth, and maturity, which are all of them different 

 as to time, and kind ; yet do not I intend by this any 

 period or instant in which they do not continually 



