408 SYLVICULTURAL NOTES ON TIMBER TREES 



The timber is light, soft, resinous, and durable. It is very 

 similar to that of Austrian Pine, but is, when grown in this 

 country, of greater technical quality and possesses fewer 

 knots. It is worth as much per foot as Scots Pine. 



Soil and Situation. Deep dry soils suit it best ; but it is 

 not very exacting in respect of soil. 



Like Austrian Pine, it succeeds on soils overlying chalk, 

 but, in such cases, it requires rather more surface soil than 

 Austrian Pine. 



It thrives quite well on moderately stiff clay land. How- 

 ever, nursery stock should always be raised on dry friable 

 soil ; for, on stiffish land, the seedlings will never form good 

 root systems. Very wet soils are quite unsuited to it. In its 

 early existence, say up to 3 years old, it is much injured by 

 continual wet weather in the growing season. It prefers a 

 dry atmosphere. 



It is very hardy as to drought, and, also, as to spring and 

 autumn frosts. It is, also, a very storm-proof tree. 



It stands sea-spray very well, and is one of the best trees 

 to plant on sandy, seaside tracts. 



Cultivation, etc. The tree grows very quickly when 

 young ; a good deal faster than Scots Pine. It is very light- 

 demanding. Its side branches are very persistent, and a close 

 canopy when young is very necessary in order to prevent 

 their development. It has a deep root system, and nursery 

 plants must be transplanted every year until planted out, say 

 at 2 or 3 years old, otherwise they will be devoid of fibrous 

 roots. 



Corsican Pine is, perhaps, the most difficult tree to trans- 

 plant. It should be planted out late in spring, just as the 

 buds are expanding. It is far easier to transplant 2-year- 

 old trees than 3- or 4-year-old trees. On heather land it is 

 one of the best pioneer crops, as it grows so quickly ; but, on 

 grass land, Scots Pines may be preferable, as larger plants 

 are necessitated, and the Scots Pines transplant readily. 



Corsican Pine is only suitable for even-aged high forest. 

 If its success be undoubted, it will generally be preferable to 

 plant it pure 3 feet apart each way. 



