CHAPTER XX. 



TREES AND SOIL. 



There cannot be a doubt that many of the failures in tree 

 planting can be directly attributed to errors in judgment 

 in the selection of particular species to the wrong classes 

 of soil. We have good examples of how certain trees 

 and shrubs affect particular classes of soil in the common 

 Rhododendron, and most of the so-called American peat 

 plants, none of which can for long survive in that of a 

 chalky or calcareous formation, while the cluster and 

 Aleppo Pines (Pinus Pinaster, and P. Halepensis) succeed 

 best in almost pure sand on the sea coast. 



Again, we generally associate the Scotch Pine, Larch, 

 and Mountain Ash with poor, gravelly soils or rocky ground, 

 the Ash with that of the best quality, which may afoo be 

 said of the Walnut, while the Beech and Pyrus do best in 

 that of a calcareous formation. The Willow and Alder 

 frequent damp soil ; in fact, that of a water-logged character 

 does not come amiss to either, while the various species of 

 Poplar revel in that of almost a similar, perhaps drier nature. 



Amongst the later introduced Conifers the same law 

 with reference to soil holds good, and many failures by 

 not planting the Umbrella Pine (Sciadopitys Verticillata) in 

 dampish peat, and placing Menzies Fir (Picea Menziesii) on 

 dry gravelly soils have been brought about. These are only 

 a few of the many instances that could be pointed out 

 in which trees have become unhealthy, or died out altogether 

 when planted in unsuitable soils and situations. The Larch 

 will not remain long healthy when planted in gravelly 

 * soils heart rot or "pumping" being brought about at an 

 early age, and many examples of such could be pointed 

 out in almost every part of the country where the tree is 

 extensively cultivated. But it would only be superfluous 

 to multiply examples, and it is wise on the part of the 

 planter to consider well the species of trees that have been 

 found to succeed best when planted in particular claeses of soil. 



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