20 Establishment of Woods 



numerous small birch trees are eaten down ; but when the area is 

 enclosed for planting, these young plants grow up and form a serious 

 menace to the trees which it is intended to grow. In some cases, a 

 moderate growth of birch may be rather beneficial, the plants acting 

 as nurses for the species planted, as, under such conditions, they are 

 so " storm-firm." For, though the birch is not a storm-firm species, 

 yet, owing to continual grazing off, its root-system becomes so much 

 developed as to make it storm-firm in this case. Where self-sown 

 birch interferes with the species planted, an effectual remedy is to cut 

 through the bark at the base of the stem, the cut forming a complete 

 ring. 



All woody plants are best destroyed by cutting down in July, 

 at a short distance from the ground, it being most probable that the 

 stump will rot away. The more injurious "jungle" will be dealt 

 with in some detail, as it is seldom that planting can be done without 

 having to take into consideration at least one form of it. 



Ling and heather, when growing luxuriantly, are sure signs of a 

 poor soil. Heather is injurious in two ways: firstly, by yielding a 

 particular kind of humus from its rotting shoots and leaves, which 

 seems to have an injurious effect on vegetation (Scotch pine, birch, 

 and aspen seem, however, to be immune from its effect) ; secondly, 

 by restricting the roots and crowns of the young trees. 



The best method of clearing the ground of heather is by 

 burning or cutting. By the time the heather has grown up again, 

 the trees will be very much taller. 



Gorse and broom commonly grow on rather deep sandy soils, 

 attaining a height of four feet or more. Uprooting is sometimes 

 advisable, but it is usually sufficient if it is burnt, or cut down to 

 about eight inches from the ground. This should be done in July, 

 and before the seeds have formed. Usually, the plant shoots 

 up again, and it would be best to keep the new growth down as 

 low as possible by cutting. Where game is preserved, however, 

 this young growth may be desired ; and in such a case, though 

 not advisable, it may be allowed to grow sufficiently for the 

 game, provided that it is kept within bounds. The danger is 



