LANDSCAPE FORESTRY 235 



are few grander sights than a clump or grove of old and well- 

 proportioned oaks, it is the most difficult of all species to 

 produce in perfection, and requires a period of time of which 

 the life of a man constitutes but a fraction. For this reason, 

 if no other, the planting of oak is not work which appeals 

 strongly to self-interest, or to those who study immediate 

 effect above ultimate success. Yet, when once established 

 under suitable conditions, and left practically alone, it re- 

 quires little or no skill to produce, by slow degrees, one of 

 those picturesque old groups of oaks which are the pride and 

 glory of all those who happen to possess them. To leave oak 

 out of a plantation altogether, when the soil is suitable for 

 its growth, therefore, is an omission which does not seem 

 justified on patriotic grounds ; for, however low the value of 

 its timber may fall, it will long be regarded as an emblem 

 of British strength and character, and in that capacity must 

 appeal to every genuine Englishman. 



The best method of raising oak in an ornamental wood is 

 probably that of growing it more or less pure in groups or 

 clumps, in which the trees can fight it out amongst them- 

 selves, and gradually develop into those picturesque groups 

 and single trees which are so characteristic of a natural 

 British forest. The ground need not, of course, be entirely 

 occupied by the oaks. When once the latter are thoroughly 

 established and have attained a height of 10 to 20 feet, 

 many lower forms of forest vegetation may be allowed to 

 grow up beneath them, such as brambles, bracken, gorse, 

 broom, etc., while yew and holly are specially suited for 

 growing amongst oak, and improve its appearance during the 

 winter months immensely. A few beech or ash in a group 

 of oaks also afford variety at all seasons of the year, but 

 the practice of mixing too many, or unsuitable, species with 

 oak cannot be too strongly condemned when a good effect is 

 desired. 



Many fine and promising clumps of oak have undoubt- 

 edly been spoilt by thinning as much as anything. While 

 this operation may be beneficial when skilfully applied to 

 oak woods grown simply for timber, it is doubtful if it can do 

 any good, and can certainly do a great deal of harm, when 

 practised on groups of oak grown in parks or woods for 



