BEECH 343 



shelter is very beneficial to them. Northern aspects are far 

 more suitable for their growth than southern aspects. 



Cultivation, etc. The Beech is a very densely foliaged 

 tree, and can bear a very great amount of shade. Its side 

 branches are not easily pruned off by other trees. It is of 

 slow growth when young ; but, ultimately, grows to a great 

 height provided it be crowded, and provided its strong 

 tendency to form a crown be delayed. It receives a consider- 

 able check on being transplanted ; and it is very impatient of 

 pruning until it has become well established. If any plants 

 be cut over, at ground level, at the time of planting, as may 

 be done with Ash, Norway Maple, or Sycamore, they are 

 almost sure to be killed. Even when well established, the 

 tree will not usually stand being coppiced for more than a 

 few times ; and, after about the second cutting, its vigour is 

 lessened each time it is coppiced. 



Beech makes an excellent hedge, and will stand trimming 

 well ; and, when thus treated, the leaves, though dead, are 

 retained all through the winter. 



Its dense foliage and thick fall of leaves enables it to 

 protect and improve the soil in an extraordinary manner. 

 For this reason it is a very desirable tree in most mixtures. 

 It may be grown pure, as even-aged high forest, or under 

 the group or selection systems. It is most valuable for 

 mixing with other broad-leaved trees, or with Larch. It is, 

 however, far preferable to use it in uneven-aged mixtures 

 than in even-aged mixtures ; for, in the latter case, it will 

 ultimately outgrow and overtop most broad-leaved trees, and, 

 owing to its slow growth when young, it will fail to prune 

 any other trees unless they, also, are slow growing. And 

 then again, if planted on open land, the young trees suffer 

 from late frosts and hot sun. However, if attempted, even- 

 aged mixtures should nearly always be by patches, though 

 Beech and Larch may be otherwise mixed ; but unless the 

 Beech form the greater proportion of the crop, they will be 

 very coarse. The Beech is admirably suited for underplant- 

 ing ; and, if the land be clean enough, I year seedlings can 

 be dibbled in at a very small cost. However, none but 



