364 NOTKS ON I'.III'I'ISH |-()i;i;sT TliKKS. 



r. Lucdiili/. 



('liiiKifr. — Scotch pine is liardy against frost and drouglit, 

 l)ut flourishes best in a fairly warm cHraate. It is light 

 demanding, standing in this respect between larch and oak. 

 Tlie degree to which it will bear shade is very limited, but it 

 depends much on the climate in which it is grown. It prefers 

 dry to moist air, but possesses an enormous power of accom- 

 modation in this as well as other respects. Scotch pine is a 

 storm firm tree. 



Soil. — Scotch pine requires a deep soil, which should be 

 porous. Although it reaches its greatest perfection on fresh 

 soil, it will grow under any conditions of moisture, from 

 very dry soil to swampy ground. Sandy soils with a 

 moderate admixture of loam suit it best, but it accom- 

 modates itself to any description of soil, from shifting sand 

 to clay. It is )iot an exacting species as regards mineral 

 substances in the soil. 



i/. S//((/)r and DcrcldiniD-iit. 



The natural tendency of the tree is to divide its stem only 

 in the upper part into a limited number of strong branches. 

 In crowded woods the crown is restricted to the uppermost 

 part of the tree. The stem is not so straight as that of spruce 

 01- silver lii-. Scotch pine develo[)s a tap root, and a generally 

 deep going root system. 



Scotch pine grows quickly in youth and also afterwards, 

 attaining, under favourable circumstances, an ultimate maxi- 

 mum height of about 120 feet. The average height of crowded 

 woods grown on fertile soil and under a favourable climate 

 may run up to 100 feet. 



As regards volume increment it stands below silver iir, 

 s[)ruce, and larch, but aliove the broad leaved species except 

 l)eech. The upper limit of its life may be placed at 

 200 years. 



