1 9 io.] 



Coombe Plantation, Keswick. 



267 



originally at 1,250 ft., but have since been cut. A number 

 of oak and birch were present in the original crop, but have 

 mostly been removed in the thinnings. Those which remain 

 are badly suppressed. 



The Whinlatter Pass runs east and west, and the woods 

 occupy the flanks of the somewhat steep slopes on the north 

 side. About one-half of the wood faces south, while the 

 other half lies on the slopes running down to Coombe Gill, 

 and varies in aspect from S. to E. 



The prevailing winds are from the W. and S.W., and 

 sweep up the Pass with great fury in winter. On the N. 

 side of Whinlatter the hills rise to a maximum of 1,700 ft. 

 in the Lorton Fells, at a distance of one mile W. from 

 Coombe Plantation, while to the S.W. Hobcarton, a mile 

 distant, reaches 2,010 ft., and Grisedale Pike \\ miles distant, 

 2,600 ft. elevation. Further to the west the country falls off 

 abruptly to the sea. 



The position is partially exposed and partially sheltered. 

 The slopes running down to Whinlatter Pass are exposed to 

 the full force of the winds through the Pass, but that part 

 which slopes down towards Coombe Gill is well sheltered in 

 the lower parts. Above the 1,250 ft. contour line the wood 

 becomes more and more exposed, and the upper parts, which 

 reach up to the crest of the hill, are fully exposed to wind. 



On the whole the locality is typical of thousands of acres of 

 land in the Lake District at present let for a couple of shillings 

 or less per acre. 



In forming the plantation no windbreak was provided, and 

 consequently the larch on the windward margins present a 

 very weather-beaten appearance. Plate 1 is a view taken on 

 the extreme western edge of the wood at an elevation of 

 about 1,500 ft. The larch on the outside are mere bushes 

 5 to 8 ft. high, but increase in height within the wood under 

 the shelter of the marginal trees. The characteristic streamer- 

 like development of the branches of larch when exposed to 

 heavy winds is well shown. Plates 2 and 3 have been in- 

 cluded to illustrate the value of an evergreen shelter-belt in 

 such situations. All three views were taken at practically the 

 same elevation. No. 2 is a view taken about 50 yards from 

 the edge of the wood, and shows the increased height attained 



u 2 



