168 CLEARANCES AND UNDERPLANTING 



sitchensis), Douglas Fir, Weymouth Pine, Spanish Chestnut, 

 and Hazel and Lime will also bear considerable shade. 

 However, when mature, Spanish Chestnut is a light-demand- 

 ing tree. Ash 1 will bear a certain amount of shade during 

 the first 25 years of its existence ; but it is a very light- 

 demanding tree when older. Norway Spruce will bear 

 considerable shade when the locality exactly suits it ; but it 

 requires a fairly moist soil and a very moist atmosphere to 

 grow it to perfection. Generally speaking, it is not suited 

 for growth in the south of England ; though it will succeed 

 on certain high table-lands ; and its growth in Scotland is 

 far better than its growth in the south of England. 



But even where Norway Spruce will grow well, it cannot 

 be recommended for underplanting, as it renders the soil 

 intensely dry, to the detriment of the overwood. 



The age at which underplanting takes place is a matter 

 of the greatest importance. It will depend upon the species 

 and the condition of the overwood. It should be done 

 before the soil covering of humus has disappeared, and con- 

 currently with the first partial clearance. 



Regard should be had to the rate at which the undercrop 

 will probably grow, or the overwood may be caught up and 

 its growth interfered with, before it is ready for the axe. 



Cupressus macrocarpa, Douglas Fir, and Sitka Spruce are 

 the quickest growing of the shade-enduring trees mentioned, 

 and for the first 30 years an average growth of 2 feet to 2 

 feet 9 inches may be relied upon, per annum. 



Of the other trees, Thuya gigantea and Weymouth Pine 

 are the quicker growing, when an average growth of i foot 

 3 inches to I foot 9 inches may be expected, per annum. 



The cost of underplanting is very small, since the land 

 is always very clean, or should be so, and therefore no 

 subsequent cleaning of the young crop is necessary. The 

 chief item will be for fencing against rabbits. 



1 Ash, when sown in situ, and so also most other trees, will bear more 

 shade than when planted ; because in subdued light trees, which are 

 only moderate shade bearers, will often fail to recover from the shock of 

 being transplanted. 



