CHAPTER XIII. 



TREES SUITABLE FOR HEDGEROW AND FIELD PLANTING. 



IN proceeding to consider the trees that are most suitable 

 for hedgerow and field planting four important points should 

 always be kept in view. (1) That the spread of branches 

 is, comparatively speaking, small in proportion to the tree's 

 height ; (2) that the roots have a downward tendency, or do 

 not ramify to too great an extent ; (3) that the tree is well 

 adapted for exposed situations and standing singly ; and (4) 

 that the timber value is such as to compensate in some 

 degree for the cost of planting and after-management in the 

 way of pruning, fencing, etc. Although but rarely do we 

 find all these good qualities concentrated in one tree, still, 

 with careful choice and good after-management, much may 

 be done to produce the desired effect, even in trees of a 

 partially opposite character. 



That the wrong class of timber has been, and is even yet, 

 too often planted in our hedgerows is painfully apparent to 

 everyone who has paid attention to the subject trees of 

 wide-spreading habit in both root and branch occupying 

 positions and doing irreparable damage, where, with proper 

 selection, others of an unobtrusive nature could with 

 advantage have taken their place. Timely and judicious 

 pruning is of the utmost importance in the production of 

 hedgerow timber : but to be productive of the best results, 

 the work must be attended to early, and prosecuted at 

 intervals, as by skilfully shortening the branches from time 

 to time, the spread of root is likewise, to a great extent, pre- 

 vented, thereby securing, as it were, a double benefit to the 

 farmer. 



