i 5 8 BRITISH FOREST TREES 



long season of active vegetation is beneficial to its develop- 

 ment. A moderate degree of atmospheric humidity is 

 characteristic of all localities in which extensive pure forests 

 of beech are to be found indigenously ; the insular climate 

 of Britain, especially of the southern portion of England, is 

 therefore well suited to produce beech forests, in association 

 with which the other more valuable deciduous species may 

 be grown, according to the precepts and principles of sylvi- 

 culture, to their better development and most remunerative 

 production. 



On the hills and lower mountain slopes of central and 

 southern Germany, the beech prefers the eastern, north- 

 eastern, and northern aspects, with their greater degree of 

 moisture both in soil and atmosphere ; but at higher eleva- 

 tions, considerations as to warmth dictate a preference for 

 south-eastern and southern exposures. 



It exhibits a decided preference for limy soils, and those 

 of a clayey nature containing lime. Mild loams, clayey 

 marls, and loamy limes, no matter of what geognostic 

 origin, are therefore those which suit it best, although 

 fresh sandy soils, especially with a loamy or marly sub- 

 soil, and the better varieties of loam often found on the 

 uplands, also induce good growth and development, more 

 particularly when the atmosphere is humid. Pure limy 

 and sandy soils are alike unsuited for the beech. 



It demands, more than many other species, depth of 

 soil, uniformity of soil-texture, mineral strength, and a 

 moderate amount of moisture both in soil and subsoil, 

 whilst any tendency either to dryness or to excess of 

 moisture is unfavourable to it. 



By means of its thick fall of leaves, it makes a natural 

 effort to provide the soil with a good non-conducting 

 cover for the preservation of the soil-moisture during the 

 heat of summer, and on decomposing this yields a rich 



