Characteristics of Common Forest Trees 65 



General. These two species are often regarded as merely 

 varieties of the one species, Q. robur. The nursery treatment is 

 similar for both species, and timber merchants do not differentiate 

 between the timbers. The sessile species is, however, less 

 particular as to soil requirements than the common oak, and it 

 gives better results on poorer soils and in exposed situations. 



The specific names indicate the most striking features of 

 identification. The common oak bears its fruit on a peduncle or 

 stalk, while on the sessile species the fruit has no stalk. The 

 converse is the case as regards the leaves. The sessile oak is of more 

 erect growth, and has less tendency to produce large limbs and 

 spreading crown than the common species. 



Distribution. Indigenous in this country, the common oak, 

 however, has a less northerly range; moreover, the sessile species 

 is capable of growing at a greater elevation. The latter appears to 

 be more susceptible to extreme winter cold, the common oak 

 being more dependent on the summer temperature. 



Soil. The best soil is a deep, rather stiff loam, and on this 

 class of soil the most favourable growth is obtained. The height- 

 growth is largelj' dependent on the depth of the soil and on the 

 amount of moisture; the latter should be present in fair abundance, 

 but never stagnant. Clay, if not too stiff, produces good oak 

 timber even when the trees are grown in pure woods. On light 

 soil, oak must be under-planted with some shade-bearing species, 

 preferably with beech. When large timber forms the object of 

 management, the common oak requires a better soil, and is more 

 dependent on moisture. 



Nursery treatment. The seed should be dibbled in at a depth 

 of about i^ inches. This gives a rather better result than the 

 usual method of sowing in drills. 



The one-year seedlings are transplanted into lines and may 

 be planted out at the age of three years ; but, as soils suitable 

 for oak usually possess a rank natural herbage, it is advisable to 

 employ five-year-old plants twice transplanted. 



