HIGH FOREST WITH COPPICE 211 



remunerative as, and far safer than, an even-aged high 

 forest of pure Larch. It should be" noted that there are 

 many soils too poor to grow mature standards of exacting 

 trees such as Ash and Spanish Chestnut, 1 but which will 

 readily grow 30- or 4O-year-old poles of such trees, which are 

 usually very saleable. 



The foregoing is often observed to be the case on shallow 

 soils in which deep-rooted trees may be growing. 



Where conversion into even-aged high forest is deter- 

 mined upon, it may be done : 



(1) by planting the desired crop among the coppice 



stools ; or 



(2) by taking a short rotation of the best stool shoots 



and clear cutting the area when they have reached 

 their maturity. 



In any case, if there are existing standards over the 

 coppice they should be left unless nearly mature, or unless, 

 for young trees, they have unduly large crowns. 



By the latter method of selecting the best stool shoots 

 excellent results are often obtained, and at a minimum of 

 expense. 



But it should not be tried if the majority of stools are 

 old and enfeebled. 



When attempted, about 3 stools' shoots should be allowed 

 to grow for the first 3 years to prove which is the most 

 vigorous and valuable ; then the best should be selected and 

 the other two removed. Any deficiency in the desired 

 number of shoots should be made good by planting. 



HIGH FOREST WITH COPPICE. 



The great advantages of this system have already been 

 referred to as a means of growing timber, of the thinly 

 foliaged trees, of the highest technical quality, and still pre- 

 serving the advantages that an undergrowth of coppice 

 presents for game preservation. 



Plantations made de novo with this object in view might 



1 To grow really fine timber free from shakes, Spanish Chestnut 

 requires a deep loam with plenty of moisture. 



