52 



CHAPTER IT. 



DEVELOPMENT OF FOREST TREES, 



In dealing with the shape and development of forest trees, 

 it is assumed that the student has already acquired a botanical 

 knowledge of the several species, so that here only their sylvi- 

 cultural characteristics need be described, more especially 

 the shape peculiar to each species, the height, diameter and 

 volume growth, lease of life, and reproductive power. 



1. Shape. 



Different species of trees naturally develop different shapes. 

 Some species, like spruce, silver fir and larch, have a decided 

 tendency to form a strong stem in preference to the develop- 

 ment of the crown. Others, like oak, lime and sweet chestnut, 

 develop their crown in preference to the stem. Some species 

 are frequently forked, as ash, false acacia, and also elm. 

 Cembran pine often shows a candelabra-like shape, especially 

 in stony localities. The actual shape depends, however, on a 

 variety of influences, amongst which the following may be 

 mentioned : — 



a. GroiriiKj Sp(i<p. 



The individual character of a tree can be best recognised if 

 it has grown up in a free position, so that its natural develop- 

 ment has not been interfered with. When trees have been 

 reared in this way their shapes can be arranged in the 

 following classilication : — 



An undivided stem throiujhoul Inirr : Spruce, silver ih', larch, 



also Weymoutli pine. 

 J)lrl(l((l ill the iipjxr jKirl ciili/ arr : Scotch pine, alder, 

 l)eech, lilaek po])lur. Cembran pine. 



