TKEES FOE WATER CATCHMENT AREAS 157 



more in its sylvicultural requirements, being equally hardy 

 and wind-resisting ; but it is satisfied with a poorer soil, and 

 succeeds better in wet situations. Norway maple grows 

 fast when young, but later slackens in growth and seldom 

 attains a large size. There is little room for it in ordinary 

 plantations, but it may be used along rides, and in shelter 

 belts, especially near the sea. It is very ornamental and 

 is well adapted for planting in the streets of towns. 



Hornbeam. — This species occurs in woods in Essex, 

 Kent, and Herts, where it is often, pure or mixed with oak, 

 dominant on clay and loamy soils. As a rule it is a tree 

 of small size, and only suitable for coppice. It is very 

 hardy, not being affected by spring or autumn frosts, and 

 grows fairly well on cold clay soils. It bears shade and 

 improves the soil in a similar manner to the beech ; and in 

 situations unfavourable to the latter species, may be substi- 

 tuted for it. It can be used, for example, for planting with 

 other trees as a nurse, in cold low-lying situations and on 

 heavy clay soils. It may also be used for underplanting 

 where beech would fail. The wood makes excellent fuel, 

 but its other uses are of a minor character. 



Chestnut. — The sweet chestnut {Castanea sativa), a native 

 of the Mediterranean region, is limited for use as a forest 

 tree in this country to mild districts. It grows best in the 

 southern and midland counties of England, in Wales, and in 

 the maritime counties of the south-east of Ireland. It re- 

 sists wind very badly, and becomes stunted in height when 

 grown in exposed situations. In wet soils, in soils contain- 

 ing more than a small percentage of lime, on stiff clays, or 

 in frosty localities, it never thrives. Chestnut grows re- 

 markably fast on deep sandy soils, especially those contain- 

 ing some loam ; and succeeds on sandy gravels and on 

 clayey loams, provided they have sufficient depth. In the 

 south of England it flourishes on sandy soils that are too 

 dry for larch, but when sandy soil contains a fair amount 

 of moisture, a mixture of larch and chestnut usually does 

 well. The great advantage of chestnut is its production of 



