66 Characteristics of Common Forest Trees 



A. C. Forbes advocates that oak seedlings be left for two years 

 after being sown in drills. If there is a probability that a tap-root 

 is being formed, it may be severed by means of a sharp spade 

 inserted in the ground without disturbing the seedlings. 



The young plants stand pruning well, both root and shoot. 



Subsequent management. Frequent and sparse thinnings are 

 necessary, in order to give as slight a change as possible as regards 

 light and air round the stems ; otherwise both species are liable 

 to develop the dormant buds on the stems, lessening the quality 

 of the timber and restricting the height-growth. These shoots 

 are known as "breast- wood" and "water-shoots." Oaks are of very 

 slow growth, and care must be taken that, when planted with other 

 trees, they are not suppressed by the more rapidly growing species. 

 This may be effected by " lopping " the fast growers, or giving the 

 oaks a start by planting them pure and introducing the shade- 

 bearers when the crowns of the oaks begin to open out. These 

 species are so slow in coming to maturity and so uncertain in their 

 development, that it is doubtful whether they will play an important 

 part in the future forestry of Great Britain ; more especially as land 

 which will grow really good oak, is also capable of producing other 

 crops from which a more immediate return may be expected. 



London Plane (Platanus acerifolia). 



Fig. 20. 



LONDON PLANE 

 (Platanus acerifolia) . 



Fig. 21. 



ORIENTAL PLANE 



(Platanus oriental! s) 



