LARCH: EUROPEAN 395 



much finer Larch can be grown than if no underplanting had 

 taken place, unless, indeed, the soil be very rich and deep. 

 The Spanish Chestnut will prove more remunerative than the 

 Beech. 



Often, however, owing to very heavy thinnings having 

 been made on account of Larch disease, underplanting has to 

 be resorted to at a much earlier date ; in such cases, the 

 Douglas Fir should not be used, as it will catch up the Larch 

 before they are ready to be felled. 



Where Larch are mixed with other trees, they should 

 usually be planted sporadically, at considerable distances 

 apart (say 12 to 16 feet), or else in little sporadic groups of 3 

 or 5, so as to ensure obtaining one good tree in each group ; 

 and thus they will only leave a few badly pruned neighbours. 

 If they be mixed by alternate trees or alternate rows, their 

 neighbouring trees will nearly always be branching and badly 

 pruned, unless artificial pruning be resorted to. 



However, they may be thus mixed with Ash (forming 

 about half the crop), for the young Ash will grow clean enough 

 up to about 20 years of age, even when next to Larch ; after 

 that date, if a permanent mixture be required, the thinnings 

 should be conducted so that a mixture by patches is left ; and 

 underplanting must be resorted to directly the land shows 

 signs of becoming foul. 



The mixture of Larch and Beech is very much recom- 

 mended, but it is really only suitable for an uneven-aged 

 mixture ; unless, indeed, only a few Larch be planted amongst 

 a practically pure crop of Beech. 



If an even-aged mixture, in about equal proportions, be 

 attempted, it will not be very successful. The Beech will all 

 be coarse, as they are very slow growing when young, and 

 both species will practically be growing like separate crops 

 planted 8 feet apart. 



Larch form excellent standards over coppice, and should 

 be planted in little groups of 3 or 5, so as to ensure having 

 one good tree from each group. 



They require much protection from the vigorous coppice 

 shoots, as they are very impatient even of side shade. 



