33 



presidential JUiiircss 



Delivered at the Inaugural Meeting of the Session 1915-16, held at 

 Trinity Hall, November 13th, 1915, by 



Sir Daniel Morris, k.c.m.g., j.p., m.a., d.sc, d.c.l., f.l.s. 



Hardy British Trees. 



TN my first Presidential address I selected as my subject " The 

 Mission of the Natural Science Society in promoting knowledge 

 and research." In my second I discussed " Science and the: 

 War." In my present address I propose to offer for acceptance 

 a summary of the results of investigations made during the last 

 five years into the occurrence of hardy trees with remarks as to 

 their origin, size, age, comparative rarity and historical associa- 

 tions. I am not without hope that what I have brought together 

 in this connection may prove generally interesting and tend to 

 encourage further research and observation in a very interesting 

 branch of natural science. The present appears favourable for a 

 careful study of trees. In the first place several valuable books 

 have been recentlv published on hardy British trees ; and secondly, 

 owing to the considerable attention devoted to arboriculture in 

 this country during the last two centuries we are in an exception- 

 ally favourable position to study both broad-leaved trees and 

 conifers that have been brought together from all parts of the 

 world. Fortunately, it has been the fashion among our wealthy 

 landowners to plant rare ornamental and other trees on their 

 estates, and it is largely owing to this that an intelligent taste for 

 arboriculture has been gradually established in these islands. It 

 is generally recognised that the charming characteristics of 

 English parks and pleasure grounds are not surpassed by those 

 of any other country. It is also worthy of consideration that there 

 are numerous introduced trees suited to our climate capable of 

 being rendered of considerable value for forestry purposes. So- 

 that in addition to the keen pleasure to be derived from the study 

 of trees and admiration of their varied and quiet grandeur there 

 is the possibility in some districts of growing timber as a crop 

 for profit. This neighbourhood affords exceptional opportunities 

 for the study of trees. Bournemouth itself owes much of its 

 beauty and health-giving qualities to the beneficial influences of 

 its pine woods, while the extensive arboreal vegetation to be found 

 in the New Forest, and in the extensive parks and woodlands 

 within a radius of twenty or twenty-five miles of Bournemouth, 

 render the district of peculiar interest to lovers of trees. 



Oak. 



It is only fitting in a review of trees to begin with the oak, 

 which stands pre-eminent for its size and endurance. It " shows, 

 a thousand rings of spring in every bole." It is generally accepted 



