Characteristics of Common Forest Trees 



61 



The seed should be covered to a depth of rather more than half 

 an inch. The plants should stand two years in the seed bed and 

 two years in the nursery lines. 



Subsequent management. The beech is usually planted in pits. 

 The management depends on the requirements of the species 

 mixed with it. Beech seldom forms pure woods of any size,* and 

 its chief use is as a protective agency for more valuable species. 



4. Birch {Betula alba). 



Fig. 12. 



Common Birch 



(Betula alba var. pubescens). 



Fig. 13. 



Silver Birch 

 (Betula alba var. verrucosa) 



Distribution. The birch is indigenous to this country. It 

 forms large pure woods in Siberia. 



Soil. Few species are less exacting as regards the quality of 

 soil. Natural regeneration, where the natural herbage is short, 

 occurs freely. 



Nursery treatment. The seed ripens in autumn. It must be 

 carefully stored through the winter, or the germinating capacity will 

 be impaired. In the south of England, on dry soils, the seed ripens 



1 Except, perhaps, in Buckinghamshire. 



