CHAPTER VI 



The Softwoods Alder, Birch, 

 Lime, Willows, & Poplars 



THE Common Alder {Alnus glutinosa),\nd\genous 

 to these Isles, is still a very much more common 

 tree than the Hoary Alder (A. incana) introduced 

 by the Romans ; and only the former is of any 

 importance in our woodlands. Hardy, suffering 

 but little from late frosts while easily repairing 

 the damage thus done, and not injured much by 

 temporary inundations, it is to be found along 

 the margins of most streams and rivers, and in 

 marshy lands even of a boggy description. As 

 Evelyn truly remarks, * The Alder is of all other 



