Clare Island Survey — Tree-Grotoih. 9 23 



10 feet or so of sea-level. The effect of the sea-wind can be seen on the east 

 and north aspects, and in situations quite sheltered from the west and south- 

 west, and appears to be greater at lower than at higher levels. As the force 

 of the wind increases with elevation, it would appear that the character of 

 the wind, and not its force alone, is the factor which influences the growth of 

 trees near the sea. 



It is a rather curious fact that few indigenous British trees can be 

 described as good sea-wind resisters, or as able to produce timber at high 

 elevations. Experience gained during the last century in planting exposed 

 sites brings out the fact that the best species for resisting or tolerating 

 sea wind are Austrian, Corsican, Mountain, Maritime, and Monterey Pines, 

 White American Spruce, Sitka Spruce, Silver Fir, and one or two othei'S 

 amongst the conifers, and Sycamore, Alder, Ash, Birch, Willow, Mountain 

 Ash, Poplar, Elm, &c, amongst broad-leaved trees. Of these, Alder, Ash, 

 Birch, and Mountain Ash are probably alone indigenous to the west 

 of Ireland, and none of these approaches the Oak in numerical importance 

 at the present day. After many centuries of exposure, therefore, there are 

 few indications that the forest flora of the west has adapted itself to present 

 conditions, or that the species best represented are those best adapted for 

 wind-resistance. Whether this point has any reference to a comparatively 

 recent alteration in the climatic conditions in the west is difficult to say, 

 but it is significant that Scots Pine, which at one time covered the western 

 sea-board, shows little ability to stand sea-wind with impunity, while the 

 Oak, which followed it, is little, if at all, better. 



One very common effect of destructive wind upon Oak and other broad- 

 leaved woods is that of preventing the ripening of wood sufficiently well 

 to enable flower-buds to form. Much of the growth of the trees being due 

 to adventitious buds, and produced under conditions which prevent free 

 exposure to light and sun, well-developed flower-buds cannot be formed 

 in any quantity, and seed-production in wind-swept woods is reduced to 

 a minimum, and may be prevented altogether. While this may not prevent 

 bare ground being stocked, or old woodland regenerated by means of seed 

 produced by trees growing in sheltered spots, it diminishes the reproductive 

 power of the species over a wide area, and it is evident that little reproduction 

 of Oak and Hazel is taking place in the west of Ireland at the present time, 

 and certainly none on the more exposed sites. 



A third adverse factor as regards Oak and Hazel in the west is soil, 

 which is proverbially sterile and unproductive. A few oases of good 

 land occur here and there, but rock and peat predominate. The extremely 

 widespread distribution of Oak and Hazel, and the absence of Pine, render 



