Natural Regeneration 27 



Natural Regeneration. 



Natural regeneration. This process has been responsible for 

 the origin and establishment of our historic woods. It consists 

 of the germination and subsequent development of the seeds and 

 fruits which fall to the ground from the parent trees. The subject 

 is very intricate, and requires expert knowledge and experience to 

 be used to the best advantage. Nevertheless, a few notes may be 

 of use to the owner or manager of an estate. 



The main crop of timber should have reached maturity and 

 be ready for felling. Under good management, the canopy should be 

 too dense to allow the young plants to grow ; and in such a case, 

 trees must be felled to admit sufficient air and light. 



The condition of the layer of litter under the trees, consisting of 

 dead leaves, twigs, etc., is an important consideration. The thick- 

 ness of this litter will depend upon the species of tree composing the 

 wood, if pure ; or, in the case of a mixed wood, on the number 

 of shade-demanding trees present (see p. 40). This layer may 

 be too deep for the young seedlings ; for, unless the root of the 

 young plant can penetrate to the soil proper within a few weeks of 

 its germination, it is unable to obtain the necessary manurial food 

 constituents, and it ceases to thrive. If the layer of humus 

 is of too great a depth, it can easily be reduced by thinning. The 

 increased amount of light and air admitted to the soil quickly reduces 

 its volume by decomposition ; moreover, without this decomposition, 

 the humus is not in a condition suitable for the proper growth of the 

 plant. The rate of decomposition varies with the species of tree 

 from which the litter is obtained. 



The amount of light admitted to the ground should vary with 

 different species of trees, and with the soils upon which they are 

 planted. The felling must be done with due regard to the require- 

 ments of the case. Besides the alteration in the condition of the 

 humus resulting from it, an increased vitality is given to the 

 remaining trees, inducing the production of seed, provided that the 

 operation is carried out with care. 



