THE HORNBEAM. 3L5 



Cattle and game like to browse beecli ; red deer, hares, 

 rabbits and mice peel off the bark. Insects rarely do much 

 damage. The leaves are devoured by lepidopterous larvse, 

 especially those of DasycJiira pndibunda, and HaJias j^rasinaiia, 

 and sometimes the polyphagous Llparis monaclia, as well as 

 by the weevil Orchestes fagi. An ajDhis, Cri/ptocorcus faiji, 

 sometimes kills old trees. The freshly cut timber is liable 

 to the attacks of Tomicidte, and other boring beetles. 



Of fungi, Pliytophtliora omnivora destroys young seedlings ; 

 where it appears in large quantities, seedlings cannot be 

 raised for 5 to 8 years, hence nurseries must be changed, 

 or used for other species. Nectria ditissima causes canker on 

 the stem, which may, however, also be the consequence of 

 frost. The so-called green rot is due to Peziza ceruginosa. 



Priuiiitg.— Beech stands pruning better than most other 

 species, but it is rarely, if ever, done unless the shade injures 

 other more valuable timber trees. 



Thinnings are commenced at the age of 25 to 40 years, 

 according to locality ; they should be at first moderate, after- 

 wards heavy. 



2. Hornbeam — Carpiniis Befulus (L.). 

 a. Ufili///. 



The hard and heavy wood is an excellent fuel, and it yields 

 good charcoal. The timber is very tough, and is used in 

 machinery by the millwright, for wheels, and a variety of 

 other purposes. Specific gravity of air dried wood = "75. 

 The ashes are rich in potash. The leaves yield good fodder. 



I). Distribution. 



It is found in temperate Europe up to the 60th degree 

 of latitude. Indigenous in England ; planted in Scotland and 

 Ireland. Goes up to 1,200 feet in the Harz Mountains, and 

 to about 3,000 feet in the Alps ; generally a tree of the low 

 lands and low hills. 



