TREES FOR WATER CATCHMENT AREAS 157 
more in its sylvicultural requirements, being equally hardy 
and wind-resisting ; but it is satisfied with a poorer soil, and 
succeeds better in wet situations. Norway maple grows 
fast when young, but later slackens in growth and seldom 
attains a large size. There is little room for it in ordinary 
plantations, but it may be used along rides, and in shelter 
belts, especially near the sea. It is very ornamental and 
is well adapted for planting in the streets of towns. 
Hornbeam.—This species occurs in woods in Essex, 
Kent, and Herts, where it is often, pure or mixed with oak, 
dominant on clay and loamy soils. As a rule it is a tree 
of small size, and only suitable for coppice. It is very 
hardy, not being affected by spring or autumn frosts, and 
grows fairly well on cold clay soils. It bears shade and 
improves the soil in a similar manner to the beech; and in 
situations unfavourable to the latter species, may be substi- 
tuted for it. It can be used, for example, for planting with 
other trees as a nurse, in cold low-lying situations and on 
heavy clay soils. It may also be used for underplanting 
where beech would fail. The wood makes excellent fuel, 
but its other uses are of a minor character. 
Chestnut.—The sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), a native 
of the Mediterranean region, is limited for use as a forest 
tree in this country to mild districts. It grows best in the 
southern and midland counties of England, in Wales, and in 
the maritime counties of the south-east of Ireland. It re- 
sists wind very badly, and becomes stunted in height when 
grown in exposed situations. In wet soils, in soils contain- 
ing more than a small percentage of lime, on stiff clays, or 
in frosty localities, it never thrives. Chestnut grows re- 
markably fast on deep sandy soils, especially those contain- 
ing some loam; and succeeds on sandy gravels and on 
clayey loams, provided they have sufficient depth. In the 
south of England it flourishes on sandy soils that are too 
dry for larch, but when sandy soil contains a fair amount 
of moisture, a mixture of larch and chestnut usually does 
well. The great advantage of chestnut is its production of 
