become old and partially decayed, or when the land is poor, such shoots are not likely to attain any size. The best example I know of an oak wood produced entirely from stools is one below the approach to Carclew in Cornwall, which the late Colonel Tremayne showed me in 1902. Here the trees average 15 to 20 feet apart, and have clean boles 25 to 30 feet high, and are about 4 feet in girth.
Marsham’s opinion on the growth of oaks, taken from a paper printed in the Philosophical Transactions, are so much to the point, and his personal experience was spread over such a very long period (from 1719 to 1795) that I quote him as follows:’—
“In 1719 I had about two acres sowed with acorns, and from 1729 to L770 I planted oaks from this grove, always leaving the best plants standing for the future grove; but most of the transplanted trees are already larger than those that were not removed ; the largest of which is now (1795) but 5 feet 6 inches 8 tenths in circumference ; and the largest transplanted tree (which was planted in 1735) is 8 feet 8 inches 7 tenths, viz., near 38 inches gained by transplanting in 60 years. And in beeches from seed, in 1733, the largest is now (1795) but 6 feet 9 inches ; and the largest transplanted beech is 7 feet 5 inches 1 tenth, viz., 8 inches larger, although the transplanted beech is eight years younger than that from the seed. This proves that it is better to plant a grove than to raise one from the seed. The expense of planting is inconsiderable, and the planted trees are full as good and handsome, and many years are saved, besides the extra growth of planted trees. But this extra growth will not prove near so great in groves as in single trees. The first grove I planted from these acorns of 1719, was in 1731. In 1732 I made another grove from them, and in 1735 I planted a third grove from them, and in 1753 the last considerable number of plants were taken from the grove, and these are very good trees: so thirty-four years may be saved. But I would by no means advise the planting trees so large, as the trouble and expense will be too much, unless where a shelter or screen is wanted.
“Whether a grove is to be raised from seeds or planted, it is advisable to shelter it round; if from the seed, with such sorts as will grow quicker ; and if by planting, with larger and taller trees. The soil in Norfolk is unfavourable to elms ; therefore in planting I will venture to recommend hornbeams, as they may be planted large trees. I planted some hornbeams (rather large) in 1757, and, disliking their situation, in 1792 I removed them when they were about three feet in circumference, and did not lose one tree; and they made shoots of near half a yard that year; but I ought to say I cut off their heads.
“Before I quit this subject, I will presume to recommend, if young oaks are unthriving, there is reason to hope they may be helped by cutting them down to a foot or six inches ; for in 1750 I planted some oaks from my grove of 1719 into a poorer soil, and although they lived they were sickly ; so in 1761 I cut most of them down to one foot, and then by cutting off the side shoots, in three or four years led them into a single stem, and most of them are now thriving and handsome trees, and you
1 Phil. Trans. 1797, pp. 128–152.
