360 NOTES ON BRITISH FOlJKST TUKKS. 



f. i'lunaclcf iiltil ('iiinpusil'ioii of Wainh. 



Spruce occurs in extensive pure woods, for wiiidi it is well 

 adapted ; it has a dense foliage, and preserves a complete 

 cover for a considerable time, in fact until near niaturit}'. 

 Under its shelter a heavy growth of moss springs up, which 

 keeps the soil moist; at the same time the shallow root 

 system of the spruce is liable to drain the upper layers of 

 the soil. 



It is a suitable tree for mixture with many species, such as 

 silver fir, beech, larch, and Scotch pine, but less so with oak, 

 which is liable to become stag headed in mixture with spruce. 

 It is not so well suited for underplanthig as beech and silver 

 lir. If mixed with silver fir and beech it is apt to outgrow 

 and injure them. 



//. Sijlrirulhirdl Sjjslciiis. 



Spruce is treated as high forest under the clear-cutting and 

 shelter- wood systems ; both succeed well, but the former some- 

 what better. In the case of the shelter-wood systems the 

 mother trees are liable to be thrown by storms. For the 

 same reason spruce is not suited for standards. 



Spruce is treated under a rotation of 60 to 120 years. It 

 makes excellent hedges, and is also much grown for wind 

 breaks along the edges of woods. 



//. For mat ion of Waoih. 



Spruce woods can be formed naturally or artilicially, the 

 latter method being more practised. Tnder ordinary circum- 

 stances it does not require shelter when planted. 



The seed ripens in October, and falls towards spring, the 

 cones remaining on the tree for some time afterwards. It 

 preserves its germinating power for 8 to 5 years. Of good seed 

 75 per cent, should germinate. One pound of seed contains 

 about (55,000 clean grains. Direct sowings should be made in 

 .si)ving ; the seeds should receive a covering of half an inch 



