22 TIIK ASH. 



serrated edges, although thev consist of a single Icat instead ot a series of 

 leaflets. Sometimes the first pair hear three leatiets each. The distinctness 

 of the seedling leaves troni the mature type in all species ot trees is 

 very striking ; the ^uhject will he dealt witli more tullv in later numhers. 



THh; TRKE .^ND ITS USES. 



The A^h (Fraxinus Excelsior) appears to be indigenous to Britain, 

 though some douin its right to he considered a native ot Scotland. 

 It grows best on a strong soil oi some depth which is moist but tree 

 from stagnant water. Its tap-root goes deep into the ground, although 

 its rootlets spread widely near the surface. The tree needs consider- 

 aldc space to show to pertection the characteristic development ot its 

 branches. W hen it is crowded by other trees the trunk continues 

 undivided for some height above the ground, and the upper limbs 

 are tutted with a head ot spreading branches, an arrangement that is 

 both abniii'mal and displeasing to the eye. A good soil is essential 

 to the production ot smmd timber, as it ensures rapid growth, while 

 a slow growth tends to produce "■ brittle " timber. Two humlred years 

 appears tn be the limit ot age tor an Ash, though it is probably 

 at its best tor usetul timber at ninety years on good land, and at 

 sixty if grown on marshy soil. 



The tind)er is adapted tn all jnirposes requiring a tough, elastic 

 wood, such as axle-trees, shafts and tool handles of every kiiul, ho^ps 

 and crates. For many ot these purposes the tree is pollarded, as the 

 coppice shoots grow rapidh. The value ot all trees tor coppice 

 depends upon their capacity tor bringing to life the dormant buds 

 on the stool, or on roots near the surtace ot the ground attir the 

 stem has been removed. Some trees, such as the Aspen, send up 

 most suckers from the roots ; others, as the Oak, tVom the stool. 



