Characteristics of Common Forest Trees 59 



2. Ash (Fraxinus excelsior). 



General. This species is probably as profitable as any, pro- 

 vided that the soil is suitable. The demand for good quality 

 timber can hardly be met by our native home supply ; more- 

 over, the rotation is a short one compared with many species. 

 Consequently, wherever the soil is suited to this species, it should 

 form the bulk of the crop. The importation, however, of the 

 American ash tends to lessen the demand for our home-grown 

 wood, although the foreign wood is inferior. 



Distribution. This species is indigenous to this country and in 

 Europe. It is represented by F. amcricana in America. 



Soil. Moisture is essential, but this must not be stagnant; 

 a deep, rather strong loam produces the best timber, and the presence 

 of lime is advisable. Light or acid soils are useless, so that, when 

 these occur, some other species must be chosen. 



Nursery treatment. The seed germinates during the second 

 spring after the ripening. It is best preserved bedded in a ditch 

 mixed with sand, and kept stirred from time to time to prevent 

 heating. The seed is sown broadcast, and should be covered to a 

 depth of from J^ to ^ of an inch. The seedlings should be lined 

 out at one year old, when they may be left for one or two years, 

 according to the class of plant required. 



Subsequent management. Ash is usually planted in pits. 

 High forest or coppice may be used, but the former is the more 

 profitable. No thinning should take place for the first twenty 

 years, but after that period regular and careful thinnings must be 

 conducted. The ash is especially liable to be " drawn up " if too 

 many trees are left to the acre, and when this condition has become 

 at all pronounced, it is difficult or impossible to obtain good timber. 



Recently planted trees are liable to damage by frost, which is 

 apt to destroy the leading shoot. This species may be pruned when 

 young in order to control the shape of the stem. 



The effect on the soil fertility is moderate ; but as the class of 

 soil employed for ash is good and the rotation short, the upkeep in 

 soil fertility is less important than in the case of the oak. 



