THE SILVER FIR. 353 



Hazel is not often seriously injured by insects. The cater- 

 pillars of some BoDtljyccs and Geometrce thin the leaves 

 occasionally. The species of Balaninus at times greatly reduce 

 the crop of nuts. 



The branches show cankerous places, which may be due to 

 Nectria ditissima. 



14. Silver Fm = Abies ijectinata (D.C.). 

 a. Ufilify. 



The timber is light, specific gravity of air dried wood on an 

 average = "48 ; soft, easily worked and splits well ; lasts well 

 in dry localities, less so if exposed to w^eather. Timber of 

 quickly grown trees is less durable than that of slowly grown 

 trees such as are produced in crowded woods. It is used in 

 Britain for a variety of purposes, principally as boards, planks, 

 rafters, and small boxes for packing strawberries. Used for 

 the manufacture of paper. Strasburg turpentine is obtained 

 from this tree. 



//. Disfrihufioii. 



It is found naturally in temperate Europe between the 36° 

 and 52° of latitude. It is not indigenous in Britain ; said to 

 have been introduced about 300 years ago (1603 according to 

 Brown). In its natural home it is a tree of the lower 

 mountains, ascending to 2,500 feet in Central Germany, over 

 4,000 feet in the Alps, and 6,000 feet in the Pyrenees. 



r. Locality. 

 Climate. — Silver lir requires a fairly warm climate, and 

 stands in this respect near the beech. It is subject to injury 

 by late and early frosts, and is also tender as regards drought. 

 It stands a great amount of shade, even more than beech ; in 

 fact, more than any other forest tree mentioned in this part. 

 It requires a certain amount of moisture in the air, but not so 

 much as spruce. Northern and eastern aspects suit it best. 

 It is fairlv storm firm. 



