26 A MANUAL OF FORESTRY 



as on those rich in lime, it thrives best, like all other trees, on 

 more favorable sites. There are probably few soils in the north- 

 east too poor for this species up to an elevation of 2000 feet. The 

 Scotch pine has a strong root system, forms a dense crown cover, 

 and is able to compete with practically all kinds of brush growth 

 which it soon outgrows and smothers. 



It has been established in Europe that the three trees which do 

 the most to enrich the soil are beech, hornbeam, and Scotch pine; 

 heiuv this is a splendid species for reforesting worn-out and 

 badly managed soils. 



Its strong root system which enables it to monopolize the soil 

 makes it disadvantageous to plant it in mixture with other 

 specie-. 



The growth of the Scotch pine is very rapid after it becomes 

 established, surpassing the white pine on very sandy sites. On 

 the better loam sites the white pine grows about as well. The 

 leaders of the Scotch pine sometimes make a growth of forty 

 inches, and often between two and three feet. 



The quality of the wood is said to be best in the north of 

 Europe, while in New England it can be compared fairly well 

 with the native red or Norway pine. The wood as a fuel is in 

 great demand by European bakers; it is also used for paper 

 pulp, mine props, telegraph poles, railroad ties and for general 

 building purposes. In France the lumber is considered superior 

 to that of the American white pine. 



The seed crop is abundant every two or three years, but 

 as yet all seed used in America is imported. Experience has 

 .-hown that the seed which comes from northern Europe pro- 

 duces better timber trees than that from the southern part of 

 its range. 



In this country the Scotch pine has escaped all enemies except 

 a blister-rust which occasionally attacks young trees of this 

 species as well as pitch pine. The alternate host of this fungus 

 -weet fern. 



