244 BRITISH FOREST TREES 



one of the comparatively few species indigenous to Britain 

 in the earliest historic times. It is mainly an inhabitant of the 

 valleys and the uplands, but seldom of the mountain chains 

 of middle Germany extending above 3,500 feet, although 

 reaching up to and over 4,000 feet in the Alpine districts. 

 It extends further northwards than the beech, but does not 

 attain an equal elevation above sea-level. It is seldom 

 found forming pure forests, and its role seems to be 

 emphatically that of a subordinate species in mixed woods, 

 occurring scattered as single trees rather than in large 

 groups or clumps. 



Tree form and Root system. If comparatively undisturbed 

 in the enjoyment of light and air, the ash at an early stage 

 exhibits a decided tendency to forked and branching growth ; 

 but when its growing-space is limited, it can on favourable 

 situations develop a straight, full-wooded stem of eighty to 

 ninety feet high, surmounted by a lightly-foliaged crown. In 

 the later stages of growth its natural tendency to ramification 

 and branch-development is irrepressible, the crown increasing 

 laterally to a considerable extent. 



Its root-system is deep. Numerous and strong branches 

 extend laterally from the tap-root, but soon exhibit likewise 

 a tendency to work their way down deep into the soil; 

 whilst as the tree advances in age, the development of 

 superficial roots beomes marked, more particularly on the 

 poorer classes of soil, and on such as are somewhat deficient 

 in moisture. 



Requirements as to Soil and Situation. In the whole 

 character of its growth the ash plainly shows its preference 

 for localities which are rather moist both as regards soil and 

 atmosphere. Low-lying tracts of country, or the cool, damp, 

 northern and eastern exposures on hill-sides, are therefore 

 more congenial to it than well-drained plains or warmer, 

 sunnier aspects. Not every soil, however, and not even every 



