BRITISH OAKS — THEIR SPECIES, VARIETIES, USES, AND CULTURE. 
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It is a native of the Western Pyrenees, and also near Bordeaux, but in no case abundant. 
It frequently comes true from seed, but the best mode of increasing it is, by grafting 
on Q. sessilijlora. 
Q. p. pendula (d). The Weeping Oak, 
a curious and rather ornamental tree. 
Comes often true from seed, but should also 
be increased by grafting. 
Q. p. foliis variegatis. The leaves 
beautifully variegated with white, and slight 
stripes of red. Exceedingly ornamental, 
increased by grafting. 
Q. p. purpurea. The Purple Oak. 
This tree is amongst Oaks what the Purple 
Beech is among Beeches. 
Q. peduncidata, is found in all countries 
where it is indigenous, in richer and better 
soils than Q. sessilijlora, and will not make 
the same progress if planted in a poor soil. 
“ When both Oaks are planted together in 
good soil, the Red Oak ($. sessilijlora), out- 
grows the White Oak ( Q. pedunculata ); and 
when either oak grows on particular descrip- 
tions of soils, with bad subsoils, the wood 
assumes a brown or dark colour, and is found, 
when worked up, to be of comparatively short duration. Hence, a good deal of confusion has 
arisen as to the comparative value of the wood of these two species. For splitting, the White 
Oak is to be preferred ; and, with respect to durability, we believe that depends more on the 
soil, and on the rapidity or slowness of growth, than on the species. ’’—Arbor. Brit. 
The varieties and sub-varieties of sessilijlora are scarcely worth enumerating in point 
of value as timber trees, to which we are now alluding ; nor need we be surprised at the 
number of sub-varieties- noticed by botanists, when one gentleman alone has described 
fifteen found in one forest in Warwickshire. 
“ Quercus sessilijlora is generally the only British Oak found growing naturally in poor 
soils. On the poor soils of the north and middle of France, it is the only Oak which is 
indigenous. The Oaks of the Bois de Boulogne are entirely of this species ; as are those 
in the woods of Meudon, and throughout the whole of the extensive forest of Fontainebleau. 
In Britain it is also often found in rich soil, with or without pedunculata : but the latter 
species is never found indigenous, on soils so poor as those in which Q. sessilijlora is found.” 
— Arbor. Brit. 
The oak in modern times, is never to be met with in perfection, except in a good soil and 
temperate climate, and hence it is planted in our lowland districts, and in soils considered 
too good to occupy with larch or any of the pines. Hence we have no oaks in Scotland either 
of a size, or in number equal to those found in the warmer climate and richer soils of England; 
nor is it quite evident that the oak is making the same progress even there, that it did five 
hundred or a thousand years ago. There seems to be a lapse — a period as it were — 
between the gigantic oaks in Sherwood Forest, Windsor Park, Castle Howard, and in those 
of Holme Lacy, Garnons, Moccus Court, and other places in Herefordshire ; and those of a 
more recent origin, in the same localities. The oak called par excellence, “ The Duke’s 
Walking-stick,” in the park atWelbeck, I predict will never attain the colossal dimensions 
of the Porter’s oaks, the Greendale oak, or the Butcher’s shambles, although only a few 
miles distant, and on the same property, and to all appearance growing in the same soil, 
and at little difference of elevation, and even if my recollection be correct, the “ Walking- 
stick ” is less elevated in situation, to any of the others; and has the advantage, if 
advantage it be, of shelter, being surrounded by other trees. 
In Scotland we have the majestic oak at Methven Castle, that at Seggiedean, the 
branches of which cover an area of not less than 4900 square feet ; those at Hamilton and 
Dalkeith are also large, and in both the latter places not single trees, but the fragments as 
it were of “ The Ancient Sylva Caledonia.” These, however, may be said to be growing 
in good soils, and a good climate. But again, we have recorded by Dr. Walker, in his 
