72 ENGLISH WOODLANDS 



for thinking that European larch would not 

 succeed. 



Douglas fir is the most promising of the more 

 recent introductions. It grows quickly and to 

 a great size. The only known defect is that 

 it has a poor resistance to the wind, and when 

 it grows above the level of a plantation is liable 

 to lose the leader. The value of the mature 

 timber has not yet been proved in the market. 

 There are in England a considerable number 

 of old trees, but it is believed that no mature 

 plantations of Douglas fir have yet been offered 

 for sale to timber merchants. 



Douglas fir requires a soil slightly more damp 

 than what is best suited for larch, and a position 

 free from strong winds. The growth is very 

 doubtful in a wet situation or where there is 

 limestone. The trees should be planted at least 

 6 feet apart and thinned heavily during the 

 last years of the pole stage. 



There are two varieties, the Oregon green 

 variety, usually planted, and the Colorado or 

 glaucous variety, which is much slower in growth 

 than the Oregon, but is said to stand the wind 

 better. 



Scotch fir are capable of forming very large 

 pure woods self-sown, and examples of such 



