272 ENGLISH ESTATE FORESTRY 



side branches, or cut down a few of the weaker trees from 

 time to time as required during the winter. These provide 

 the rabbits with food and take off their attention from the 

 stems of the larger trees, and, although it may not prove 

 always effectual in a hard winter, it will at least reduce the 

 damage to smaller proportions than it would otherwise be. 



SQUIRRELS. 



The damage done to coniferous woods by squirrels may 

 often prove serious if their numbers are not kept in check. 

 Larch is a favourite tree for attack, and in bad cases they will 

 bark the upper portion of the stem or crown part entirely 

 round, and bring about the destruction of the tree above that 

 point. Shooting is the only method of reducing their numbers, 

 which work is usually entrusted to the gamekeeper, and is 

 consequently, more often than not, left undone. 



The chief damage done to trees by squirrels is usually 

 effected during the spring months. Probably the bark at 

 that period contains a sweeter kind of sap which attracts 

 these animals, and renders the tree more deserving of their 

 attention than any other time of the year. This damage is 

 further aggravated by the fact that the bark is not only more 

 easily removed at this time of the year, but can be peeled 

 or torn off in larger pieces than those actually bitten, with 

 little difficulty. The exact loss occasioned by the attacks of 

 these creatures is very difficult to estimate accurately. We 

 have known instances where the value of young larch planta- 

 tions has been reduced by at least 75 per cent., and it is 

 seldom that a plantation badly attacked ever turns out a 

 really satisfactory crop. Where, therefore, the keepers cannot 

 or will not keep these creatures in subjection, the forester 

 ought to have full power of doing the work himself ; for, how- 

 ever harmless they may be in small numbers and in certain 

 years, there may come a time when immediate and energetic 

 action is necessary to prevent damage, and immediate and 

 energetic action is seldom taken when left to a disinterested 

 party. 



