.'316 NOTES ON RHITISH I'OHKST THKKS. 



r. LoikUIij. 



Cliiiuitr. — The hornbeam requires only a moderate tempera- 

 ture, and thrives even in cold moist localities unsuited for 

 beech. It is one of the most frost hardy species, hut rather 

 tender as regards summer heat. It stands a considerable 

 amount of shade, but not so much as beech. 



It seems to require a moderately moist atmosphere, and 

 prefers north and east aspects. It is to some extent lial)le to 

 be thrown by wind, but resists snow uiul rime ratliei' well. 



Soil. — Hornbeam likes a soil which is somewhat loose, of at 

 least middling depth, thoroughl}' fresh if not moist, and 

 minerally rich. As regards moisture, it stands between beech 

 and ash, and in respect of mineral matter in the soil it is not 

 quite so exacting as beech. Loams, sandy soils rich in liunnis, 

 and marls suit it best ; here it attains its full development. At 

 the same time it is found on dry soils, though of inferior 

 development, and on heavy clay soils ; it frequently replaces 

 beech in heavy soils and in frost localities. 



(/. S//{i/)e ami hcrflo/nnriil. 



The stem of the hornbtuini is generally divided into branches 

 comparatively low down. The general shape of the tree, if 

 grown in a favourable locality, approaches that of the beech ; 

 on inferior soils it sinks down to an insigniticant tree, witli a 

 short bole and large crown. The root system on the whole is 

 not deep going ; there are strong side roots which reach a 

 moderate depth. 



It grows somewhat quicker than beech during the Ihst 

 years of life, but it rarely reaches a total height of more than 

 75 feet. 



Its volume inerement is considerably smaller than that of 

 beech ; nor is hoinbeani so long lived as the latter. 



f. Urinodiiclirr I'dii'cr. 

 Hoinbeani commences beai'ing full crojjs of seed when 

 about -10 years old, and it seeds plentifully almost every year. 



