Stem of the True “Cricket Bat” Willow (Salix Cærulea)
The White or Huntingdon Willow (Salix alba).—Whether for ornament or utility the White or Huntingdon Willow must be considered as one of our most valuable trees. The timber sells readily at all prices up to 10s. per cubic foot, and when it is considered that the tree will succeed in dampish ground where most other species decline to grow, and that it is of rapid growth, attaining maturity in less than forty years, its value in economic planting will be recognized. At the outset it may be well to point out that the wood of the particular willow from which the best class of cricket bats are manufactured sells at a higher rate than any other timber that is cultivated in this country. There are many kinds of willows found growing throughout the British Isles, but one alone produces the particular class of wood from which first-class bats are turned out. Until quite lately the timber of the White or Huntingdon Willow (Salix alba) was largely used in the making of cricket bats, but it has been found that a cross between that species and the crack willow (S. fragilis), and named S. cærulea, produces by far the best wood for the manufacture of high-grade cricket bats. In the trade the “Cricket Bat Willow,” as it is now known throughout England, is popularly designated as the close-barked willow in order to readily distinguish it from the open-barked or crack willow. Confusion generally exists in determining the various forms of willow, but in S. cærulea the branches incline upwards; indeed, the tree has a semi-fastigiate form of growth, and the branches also have an upward tendency. The bark is a dark grey, with long, straight, narrow fissures closely arranged and from which the term “close-barked” is derived. The leaves are of a bluish tint or covered with bluish-grey hairs beneath and long and narrow in shape, while an unerring point of difference between the hybrid and other willows is that the tree produces only female flowers. It may be well to mention in connexion with the crack willow that the bark fissures are far more rugged and placed farther apart than is the case with the true cricket bat willow, S. cærulea. The great importance of recognizing and growing for purely economic purposes the true variety will be apparent when it is mentioned that makers of cricket bats will have nothing to do with any but the true “close-barked” tree, and the English bat-maker is keen to recognize the characteristics of the timber he requires, and will not stick at paying exorbitant prices for trees of the right kind.
As showing the value in England of the timber of the true bat-making willow, it might be mentioned that in many instances that have come under my notice as much as 16s. per cubit ft., or six times the price of the best oak, has been paid for trees of the true S. cærulea. A single tree growing in London lately sold at £10, and in Hertfordshire eleven trees fetched the handsome sum of £81, while £20 was refused for four trees growing in a wood in Essex. Such prices are, however, exceptional, though on a visit to two of the largest bat-making establishments in the metropolis I was told that for several years past the average price paid for willow worked out at 6s. per cubit foot. A well-known grower tells us that if planted in suitable soil a “set” or cutting, which usually costs 1s. 6d., will in fifteen years be worth about £6.
The home of the true bat-making willow is in the Eastern English counties, and it is there that the manufacturer goes when wishing to purchase the most valuable timber for his special work. The propagation of the bat-making willow is simple, either by rooted cuttings or “sets,” the latter being the best and cheapest method. “Sets” are usually from 12 to 20 ft. long, with a basal diameter of, say, 3 ins., the best being got from pollarded trees, and straight, clean, branchless shoots are preferable. They should be stripped of all side branches for about three-fourths of their length and only cut in spring. By placing these sets together in a ditch or pond for about a month rootlets will be emitted, when they may be planted in previously prepared holes, which are formed by driving an iron rod or stake in the ground for a distance of, say, 2½ ft.
The Poplar.—Several species of poplar are valuable for the timber they produce, as also for their rapidity of growth and succeeding in low-lying, damp ground. When clean grown and of large size the timber sells readily at prices which vary from 1s. to 1s. 6d. per ft.
Probably the most valuable species is the white poplar (Populus alba), though the black Italian (P. monilifera) produces excellent timber for which there is generally a demand.
From a purely commercial point of view the above hard-wooded trees are the only kinds that can be recommended for planting in this country. The timber of the lime, hornbeam, walnut and one or two others at times sells at a fair price, but the small quantity offered shows that they have not been considered worthy of attention where the economic value of the plantations was being considered.
Coniferous Trees
Amongst the many conifers that have been introduced to this country during the last century very few can be recommended as suitable for profitable planting. The following, so far as is known, are the only species to be recommended:—
The Larch (Larix europæa).—Both for and against the larch much has been written and said, particularly of late years; but, however much has been said in commendation of it, there can be no doubt that to overstate its value as a timber tree in the economy of British forestry would be a task of some difficulty. When we combine its great, almost peculiar, aptitude to suit itself to nearly all conditions of soils, altitudes, and diversities of climate, its long-established value as a timber tree, rapidity of growth and ease of culture, it is clear that no other tree cultivated in this country can be ranked on a par with the larch. Unfortunately, however, of late years the larch has suffered much from disease, the predisposing causes of which may mainly be attributed to the variableness of our spring weather, and the rapidly degenerating state of the tree—the latter chiefly brought about by an injudicious selection of seed. By far too little attention has been paid to this important matter, the result being that weakness and tenderness have got into the constitution of the tree, and it is thus unable to withstand even a few degrees of frost. So weakened, blight, fungus, and ulceration find a footing, and thus the fell disease is generated about which so much has been said and written of late years. In my own opinion, strengthened by careful investigation and research, induced tenderness in the constitution of the larch is the primary cause of disease, cold winds and frost being the destructive agents, and ulceration the direct consequence.
Injury to the roots of the larch in transplanting is attended with most injurious results. In corroboration of this, it may be stated that natural or self-sown trees are, in this country, almost exempt from disease.
The variableness of our spring weather is, no doubt, one of the predisposing causes of disease, for although no degree of cold experienced in this country can injure the tree when leafless, yet few are more sensitive when in young foliage.
The durability of the wood of the larch is well known, and this peculiarity is even noticeable when of only a few years’ growth. As compared with Scotch and spruce firs, the wood of the larch is about twice as durable—a fence of the latter cut at from twenty to thirty years’ growth lasted from seventeen to twenty years, while that of the spruce lasts about eleven years, and the Scotch seven years. This refers especially to rails, not to posts, which decay in about half that time. For mining and railway purposes the durability of larch wood makes it much sought after, this being further enhanced by its extreme lightness, the weight of a cubic foot when seasoned being only 34 lbs. It takes a beautiful polish, works with great freedom, and, when fully seasoned, is not at all liable to twist or warp.
Substitutes for the larch have often been recommended, but, in the true sense of the word, there are practically none, although, doubtless, some of those whose claims have been set forth might to a certain extent reflect one or more of its valuable qualities.
Sitka or Silver Spruce (Picea Sitchensis).—From a purely commercial point of view the Sitka or Silver Spruce is probably the most valuable of any of the family to which it belongs. It is a tree of noble growth in this country, several specimens being well over 100 ft. in height and with boles that girth fully 10 ft. at a yard from the ground, these dimensions being attained in seventy-five years. When used as a standard, the tree is one of great beauty, the stiff and rather irregularly disposed branches being thickly beset with vivid bluish-green foliage that is silvery on the under side. It delights in a cool, moist loam and not too exposed situation, but when grown on gravel or any warm soil the foliage is distinctly meagre and affected by red spider. The timber, which is remarkably light for its bulk, strong and flexible, is of great value in the making of aeroplanes, and special logs find a ready market at highly remunerative prices in the London market.
The Corsican Pine (Pinus laricio).—This is, undoubtedly, one of the best all-round conifers that has found its way into the British Isles. It is of very rapid growth, and well suited for planting, even in the most exposed and wind-swept situations; a non-fastidious subject as to soil, and a valuable timber-producer.
As to its adaptability for withstanding long-continued cold blasts at high altitudes, ample evidence can be adduced on many an English and Scotch estate where the pine has been introduced into the woodlands in such quantity as in certain places to form the ultimate or standing crop. In North Wales, on one of the Snowdon range of hills, I have planted the Corsican pine in great quantity. The plantation was, for the greater part, fully exposed to the dreaded south-westerly wind, which at times blows hard and long, and sweeps the hillsides with terrific fury; yet, under such conditions, the Corsican pine has done remarkably well—in fact, proved itself to be well suited for planting at high altitudes on our English hillsides. Even at the highest point of the woodlands in question, this pine has thriven in a manner that is quite surprising, and thrown its stoutest branches out into the very teeth of the blast, and that where hardly a hardwood tree could survive, and even the Scotch fir shrank from the cold and almost unceasing storms. Other notable instances of how well the Corsican does on exposed ground and high altitudes might be pointed out—such as at Blair Athol, in Perthshire, at 700 ft., where it is thriving amazingly; and again in Yorkshire, one of the most barren and wind-swept of English counties, where in parts, it grows with a luxuriance that is almost unparalleled in any other part of Britain. The timber produced by the Corsican pine in this country is strong, tough, elastic, very resinous, and easily worked; this is speaking of trees of fully fifty years’ growth. It thrives well on gravelly soil, some of the largest specimens of the tree in this country growing along the margin of a disused gravel-pit.
It may be said that the Corsican pine is perfectly hardy, peculiarly well suited for planting in exposed situations, a rapid and valuable timber-producer, a tree that is cheaply and easily raised from seed, and one of the most non-exacting conifers as regards choice of soil that could be named—all qualities of the highest value in a timber-producing tree and a combination that is rarely found in any other species.
In France extensive plantations of the Corsican have been formed, while it has also been introduced extensively into the State forests by the Prussian Government.