CHAPTER III. 
ON THE FORM AND QUALITY OF TREES. 
TREES grown in sheltered places run up quickly and to 
a great height; they also produce the greatest length of 
clear stem, the upward development preventing the 
growth of branches low down. This is probably owing 
to the want of sufficient light and air to enable them to 
respire freely, and in situations where it occurs the 
texture of the wood is soft in comparison with that of 
trees grown in the open. They have, however, the 
compensating advantage of being very free from local 
defects. 
Many trees, as, for example, the Oak, when grown in 
hedge-rows, or other exposed and isolated places, en¬ 
joying a healthy circulation of air, take a freer and, 
perhaps, more natural form of growth ; the branches 
generally occurring lower down, and meeting with no 
obstacle to their development, they assume every variety 
of curve, and produce timber which is especially valuable 
for naval purposes. Timber thus grown is of the 
hardest and most compact kind, although subject to 
many defects from the want of shelter from cold winds ; 
the occasional breakages of the branches from various 
causes ; and the injudicious lopping or pruning, which is 
too often practised. 
