Characteristics of Common Forest Trees 55 



The best specimens are found in places where the subsoil is 

 moist and cool. Only small demands are made on the soil fertility, 

 and its effect on the soil is good, since a close canopy is maintained 

 throughout life. Its greatest perfection is reached perhaps on 

 loams and shales. 



Nursery treatment. This much resembles Scotch pine. The 

 seedlings are lined out at the age of two years as a rule, although 

 this sometimes takes place at one year. 



Thinning. Over-thinning, especially in the earlier stages, is the 

 principal cause of the inferior quality of our native timber. This 

 species parts with its side branches with great difficulty. Therefore, 

 little or no thinning should be done during the earlier stages. 



S. Menzies or Sitka Spruce {Picea sitchensis). 



Distribution. This species was introduced from America by 

 Douglas in 1831. 



Soil. The soil requirements are similar to those of the common 

 spruce. It seems capable, however, of flourishing in a soil of a far 

 more acid nature than the latter species. 



6. Larch {Larix Europcea). 



Distribution. This species is not indigenous, having been 

 introduced into this country, according to Brown, in 1629. It was 

 not, however, planted to any extent until the year 1725, when the 

 Duke of Atholl planted it extensively. 



The natural home of the European larch is in the Alps and the 

 Carpathian Mountains. Another species, the Japanese larch, is 

 deserving of attention and will be dealt with later. 



Soil. The larch is essentially a tree of a mountainous district, 

 and in its native home the " larch disease " is of small account. 

 The chief requirements as to soil seem to be that a free natural 

 drainage is imperative. 



No tree is more remunerative when healthy; but, on the other 

 hand, the crop may be a failure. 



