LANDSCAPE FORESTRY 225 



clay, and so on. But, while these may give variety, the 

 three most common species, oak, ash, and beech, must be 

 depended upon for character, and planted accordingly. 



That slight admixture of evergreens, which is necessary 

 for the sake of variety, is most appropriately furnished by 

 such indigenous species as yew, holly, juniper, box, broom, 

 gorse, etc., with an occasional larger-sized tree, such as Scots 

 fir, which, by developing a more or less flat top in later life, 

 harmonises better with hardwoods than pointed crowned trees, 

 such as spruce or larch. Where the latter type of tree 

 is used, it should be confined to banks, ridges, or hollows, 

 where some alteration in the general character of the surface 

 seems to suggest a corresponding alteration in the vegetation. 

 The hemlock spruce, evergreen oak, laurels, and similar kinds 

 of evergreens, may also be used in moderation, but the point 

 should always be kept in mind that a deciduous wood should 

 have a deciduous character, and that too great a use of 

 evergreens will neutralise this character just as effectually 

 as too great a use of deciduous trees will spoil the character 

 of an evergreen wood. It must also be remembered that 

 evergreens have a much greater effect than deciduous trees. 

 The former can be picked out at a glance as distinct features, 

 while the latter are more uniform, and different species are 

 less easily distinguished when massed together in a wood. 

 The introduction of hardwoods into coniferous woods, there- 

 fore, can be carried out with more freedom than the reverse 

 process, although both have their limits. 



In coniferous woods much the same remarks will equally 

 apply. Character in these may be given by Scots fir, 

 spruce, Douglas fir, etc., and a much wider choice of species 

 is available. On poor or dry ground it is doubtful, however, 

 if a better tree can be found than the Scots pine, as its 

 growth is practically assured, and its appearance improves 

 with age. Spruce requires fairly moist and sheltered spots 

 if it is to be depended upon for a back-ground, and, as an 

 ornamental tree, is probably inferior to the Douglas fir. 

 On chalk or marl, on which the latter will not grow, the 

 spruce is a useful tree, however, and, if grown in thick masses 

 on banks and slopes, will provide a good effect as long as 

 it remains healthy and vigorous. Much the same may be 

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