322 NOTES ON BRITISH FOREST TREES. 



phmtinf]; it pure and l»rin^uing in the beech wIrmi the oak 

 ])e}4ins to thin out. 



Where the locality does not suit the beech, the hornbeam 

 frequently takes its place ; instances are frost localities and 

 sandy soils in low lands. The oak easily holds its own against 

 the hornbeam. 



When oak is mixed with silver-ih- it requires a decided 

 start, or it will after some time be outgrown and suppressed. 



Spruce is less suited for permanent mixture with oak ; the 

 two species have a different character and demand different 

 conditions of locality. At first the oak grows faster, and 

 afterwards the spruce. Frequently oak becomes stag headed 

 when mixed with spruce. 



When grown as standards in coppice, the oak is fretjuentiy 

 mixed with many other species, such as ash, maples, elm, 

 birch, larch, and Scotch pine. 



Oak coppice woods grown for the sake of tlie bark should 

 be pure, so as to obtain the highest possible returns ; if grown 

 for other purposes they are frequently mixed with a ^■ariety 

 of other species, such as l)eech, hornl)eam, asli, elm, maple, 

 sweet chestnut, birch, hazel, willow and aspen. 



(J. Stilricnllardl Si/sh'ms. 

 Oak is e(|ually well ada})ted for high forest or coppice, and 

 for combinations of the two; the sessile oak is perhaps a little 

 more suited for coppice than the pedunculate species, because 

 it is somewhat less exacting as regards fertility of soil, repro- 

 duces better from the stool, and the bark is easier to peel. A 

 mixture of oak in beech woods is the best system for the pro- 

 duction of superior oak trees, also high forest with a soil protec- 

 tion wood, or two-storied high forest ; if trees of large diameter 

 and moderate height are wanted, standai'ds in cop[)ice woods 

 answer well. 



h. Foniudioii of Woods. 



The oak is regenerated principally by sowing and planting, 

 or I)}- stool shoots in coppice, less frequently by natural 

 regeneration by seed. 



