CHAPTER III 



THE CHIEF SYLVICULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF 

 OUR WOODLAND TREES 



THE differences in sylvicultural characteristics exhibited by 

 the various species of our forest trees may be conveniently 

 classified with reference to the following matters : 



I. Climatic requirements. 

 II. Requirements as to soil and situation. 



III. Capacity for bearing shade. 



IV. Normal shape of the stem and crown. 



V. Increment or rate of growth in height, girth, and cubic 



contents. 



VI. Reproductive capacity. 



VII. Attainment of economic maturity and normal duration of healthy 

 growth. 



When John Evelyn, as a Fellow of the Royal Society, read 

 his Sylva, on October 15, 1662, we were quite abreast of 

 continental knowledge relative to woodcraft; but since then 

 we have lagged behind nearly every other country, whilst 

 Germany has acquired by far the largest and richest stores 

 of natural knowledge with respect to the science of Forestry. 

 Yet, even in Germany, it is only within the last ten or twelve 

 years that Professor Karl Gayer's observations and classifi- 

 cations have found general acceptance as the fundamental 

 principles upon which the modern practice of Sylviculture that 

 branch of Forestry which treats of the formation, tending, 

 and reproduction of woodland crops has a firm, logical, and 



