154 FORESTS, WOODS, AND TEEES 



oak, larch, and beech. Oak is also a valuable tree in 

 coppice with standards. 



Of the species of oak which have been introduced into 

 this country, the common evergreen oak (Quercus.Ilex) is of 

 no value in ordinary plantations, but is useful in wind 

 screens by the sea. The Turkey oak (Quercus Cerris) grows 

 faster in England than the common oak, especially on sandy 

 soils ; but its cultivation, except in shelter belts, cannot be 

 recommended, as the timber which it produces is of little 

 value. The American red oak {Quercus rubra) is also fast 

 in growth on deep sandy soils in the south of England, and 

 is worth introducing into the heaths of Surrey and Sussex, 

 where it could be grown in groups amidst the Scots pines. 

 The wood is strong and elastic, and of considerable value, 

 but is not very durable when used out of doors. 



Alder. — The common alder (Alnus glutinosa) is a native 

 species, useful in wet situations, either as a large tree or 

 for forming remunerative coppice. It bears more water 

 in the soil than almost any other European tree ; and is 

 usually met with either pure, or mixed with willows, near 

 streams, rivers, and lakes, on alluvial soil, the surface of 

 which is only a few inches above the level of the ground 

 water. Such land, if it can be drained a little, will bear 

 good ash. Alder thrives in marshy or fenny land, in which 

 the contained water is alkaline and rich in lime and other 

 salts ; but it does not succeed in wild undrained peat bog, 

 full of water, poor in mineral salts, and acid in reaction. 

 Alder on good soil bears a considerable amount of shade, 

 and may be introduced into wet places in low-lying planta- 

 tions. At high elevations wet spots, if possible, should be 

 drained and planted with spruce, or else be left alone. 



Alder may be used as a nurse for other trees in damp 

 low -lying areas, subject to spring frosts. It grows rapidly 

 in the young stage, and protects conifers like spruce and 

 silver fir, which are slow-growing at first and liable to 

 injury from frost in such situations. The alder is cut out 

 gradually, as soon as the spruce or silver fir increases rapidly 



