554! Thinning of Forest Trees. 



The remaining trees will be at the average distance of 5 ft. 

 All this, whether clearly expressed or not, means that, at this 

 stage of the process, all the trees are to be distant 5 ft., which 

 may be considered as the first thorough thinning. The second 

 thinning should begin when the trees ai'e 16 ft. high averagely, 

 and be conducted in the same regular manner as the former. 

 It may be supposed that about six years will bring them to 

 25 or 26 feet, and several years more to 30 ft., when the third 

 thinning should begin, to be carried on in the same regular 

 manner as to time, corresponding, likewise, with the calculations 

 of the table. 



All extensive woods and plantations, whatever the variation 

 of soil or altitude, when properly thinned, receive shelter in all 

 directions, one part flanking and protecting another from the ef- 

 fects of high winds. At whatever distance trees are planted, 

 the same directions equally apply. Belts and clumps, of small 

 breadth or size, can in nowise be defended from the effect or 

 straining of high winds but by early and accurate thinnings. 

 The lateral branches ought to be shortened, too, and allowed 

 to remain on the trees from the bottom upwards, the same as on 

 the outsides of all plantations, whereby the trees are sheltered, 

 and the neighbouriiood converted from bleakness and sterility, 

 perhaps, to warmth and productiveness. 



Silver and spruce larch and Scotch firs, on hilly or mountain 

 land, may be allowed to stand closer than the table indicates, as 

 they receive more sun and air in proportion to the acclivities on 

 which they stand. Silver and spruce fir will grow at considera- 

 ble altitudes, provided the soil be suitable : these must be allowed 

 to stand so close that the under branches may die for want of air. 

 Where timber is alone required, Scotch firs should have a good 

 soil and moderate altitude. Larch is a mountain tree, and will 

 attain to a large size at high altitudes. It is stated that on the 

 north-east side of the Alps the finest trees are found; and in all 

 our mountain districts the same law prevails. The south-west 

 sides of the hills in this district, at 1000 ft. altitude, are destitute 

 of soil ; whereas, on the reverse side, larch will attain a large 

 size at 1600 ft. of altitude. 



Large plantations cannot be thinned exactly in the regular 

 manner laid down in the table. In these it may sometimes be 

 necessary to let the trees stand closer than there prescribed ; and 

 when two or three are closely situated, if there be intervals 

 to give air around, they should stand. Plantations which have 

 not been regularly and gradually thinned lie under great disad- 

 vantages. When fully thinned at an improper time, the trees, 

 having overgrown themselves in height, become high without 

 corresponding strength of stem; and, when acted on by high 

 winds, the stem and roots are strained, or, perhaps, the tree 



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