256 ENGLISH ESTATE FORESTRY 



features which would render it a means of improving the 

 landscape. 



The formation of a picturesque clump must be begun at 

 the time of planting. Let the fence be round, square, or 

 any other shape it may, the grouping and arrangement of 

 the trees should be done independently of it. The most 

 economical shapes are probably the circle or the hexagon, as 

 they look better when the trees are small, and while the 

 fence is a prominent object on the ground. But the trees 

 within should be arranged on other than geometrical lines. 

 Clumps in the shape of an irregular letter Y are probably 

 most ornamental, as they form recesses and projecting points 

 on all sides, and thus acquire depth and irregularity. Star- 

 shaped clumps are also good for the same reasons, but any 

 shape which does away with formality is better than nothing. 

 The recesses formed by such figures can be utilised for 

 planting thorns and other small trees, which will fill up the 

 space for the time being, and afterwards exist in the form of 

 undergrowth, or a single tree or two may be planted in them. 

 Species which vary in height and density of foliage should 

 also be represented in a clump of any size, as that will 

 ■ prevent the regular rounded outline which is so objectionable 

 when constantly repeated over a wide area, and which results 

 when pure clumps of any species are present. As a general 

 rule, hardwoods and conifers are better not mixed, but the 

 Scots fir is rarely out of place in any clump, if not over- 

 done. Oak, of course, is a standing constituent of all forms 

 of park timber, while ash, Spanish chestnut, birch, etc., are 

 also suitable. English elm, lime, horse-chestnut, etc., look 

 better in small groups by themselves or as single trees, and 

 beech should be confined to the larger masses to which its 

 heavy nature is more appropriate. 



The formation of clumps on hillocks requires especial 

 care, if they are to possess a natural appearance. Too often a 

 round clump is perched on the extreme summit without any 

 surrounding trees to break the outline, and in such cases it 

 can never assume a natural appearance. When the area it 

 covers is too large to fence in any ground beyond its base, a 

 small detached group or two must be planted a few yards 

 from its boundary here and there, while the clump proper 



