Part 7

I trust I may now conclude that I have satisfactorily proved, not only that the “magnitude of the sacrifice which the present practice involves is disproportionate to the good resulting,” but that “the embellishment of a landscape does not necessarily include the perpetuity of any one race of Trees.” In handling the remaining proposition, and in endeavouring to prove that the present treatment of Hedge-row Timber is “a perpetual offence against good taste,” I shall at the same time, be accumulating evidence in support of the other two.

It is proper to remark before I proceed any further, that when I speak of Timber being allowed to stand too long, and of the consequent heavy loss upon it to the proprietors, I refer to such as belongs to the Nobility and Gentry, for, although their example has in this, as well as in every thing else, some effect upon those below them, it does happen that, in this respect at least, the middle classes are wiser in their day and generation than their superiors, the Timber upon small estates being generally taken down at an earlier period than on large ones. There is indeed among the higher orders—of course with a few exceptions—a prejudice against felling Timber, older than the oldest Timber Tree in existence; and as strong as the most enthusiastic admirer of the beauties of landscape scenery can desire it to be: and so far is this feeling carried, that, by many, Timber of the most unsightly character, and in situations where it can be associated with no idea connected with the scenery, is religiously spared, and spared long after it has ceased to be either useful or ornamental where it stands.

Having ventured thus strongly to point out the loss to proprietors, I will now show, by an example, how the community is affected by the disinclination to fell one particular kind of timber; viz., the Ash. This tree is hardly ever cut down before it becomes exceedingly tender; and as almost every agricultural implement is either wholly, or partly composed of it, the consumers—those who wear out the wagons and carts, the ploughs and harrows—are proportionate sufferers; for it cannot for a moment be supposed, that timber which is in the last stage of decay, or indeed, approaching to that stage, will wear half so long as that which is cut down as soon as it has arrived at full maturity. The period when it has done so, will be indicated to a practiced eye, at a single glance, even with that class of trees which has had fair play; or in other words, where premature decay has not been brought on by mal-treatment. But the latter class is by far the most numerous, and it requires very little either of science, or of knowledge of a practical kind, to teach a man how to deal with them. It is of no use to let them stand. If they are not wanted for ornament, the sooner they are felled the better, for the process of decay is very rapid in this particular tree. Their early removal is further necessary, because they injuriously affect the Farmer in another way, as I will show.

The roots, &c. of one single Ash Tree are said to amount to a million in number, and to extend themselves as far all round the bole as the branches. I do not profess to be able to form a very decided opinion as to the number of the roots, rootlets, fibres, &c., but I have seen quite enough of the habits of the tree to convince me, that the roots extend themselves much farther than is here supposed; and it is well known to all farmers, that to a distance far beyond this, vegetation is almost totally destroyed; and that, near a Hedge-row (dividing two arable fields) which is filled with filthy, scabbed, stunted Ash Trees, which, from “mismanagement,” have been brought into such a condition as positively to be making no progress at all, sow what he may, the farmer can never reap any thing: and yet these unsightly things, which are the latest of all other of our common deciduous trees, in getting their foliage, and almost the earliest out again, are suffered to linger out their feeble, but blighting existence, until by slow decay they become so unsound, that the wind blows them down, and they are fit for nothing but the fire! or, if they do not actually reach this stage, they are only cut down because the owner has the fear of such a result before his eyes! A volume might be written with reference to this particular tree, were it necessary to take up every one of the points which present themselves, as condemning the present practice in its management, but that is not needed, for the Ash Tree is so generally met with in a diseased state, that it may be considered as the subject of grosser “mis-management” than any other of our domestic trees. If any one still deny this, let him look round him and say, why Hedge-rows so abound every where, in puny, sickly, Ash Timber, which cannot possibly attain to a useful size: and when he has confessed the fact, that they really do exist in that state, I will reiterate the assertion, that the cause is bad management! If the present condition of Hedge-row Ash, generally, does not prove “mis-management,” I am at a loss to know what does, for when the different kinds are planted upon a congenial soil, if they be properly treated, they will continue to grow, more or less rapidly, according to circumstances, and for a longer or shorter period, as the natural term of their existence may rule: but as they are now treated, they are never healthy, for the principle of decay is introduced at a very early stage of their existence, and in consequence, premature old age is brought on. To the absence of early training, may be attributed much of what is seen to be wrong in the present condition and quality of Hedge-row Timber, but much more to the vile practice of mutilating the trees, which almost every where obtains. There is, indeed, in some quarters, such perfect indifference manifested about the well-being of the trees, that free licence is allowed to the tenants of the land to do as they will with them: and free use they make of it, as may well be supposed, and as is abundantly evident in all such places. And why should it be otherwise? It has so long been the practice, and it is so far out of their way to really understand the matter, that farmers may well be excused. They cut off the roots, and reduce the extent of the branches, of their enemy, in self defence; and without having the remotest idea that they are doing so serious an injury to the property of their landlords. This is fully proved by the fact, that they treat their own trees in precisely the same way. It is, then, to the indifference that has hitherto been manifested by the proprietors of Hedge-row Timber, and the consequent prevalence of mistaken views on the subject, that the present state of things is to be attributed. Some gentlemen do indeed introduce into their Agreements, clauses affecting to provide against the mischievous pruning which is here condemned, but, except in the neighbourhood of a mansion, where a strict look out is generally kept, they are quite inoperative—they are a dead letter, for not only does the pruning go on, but, as I have just hinted, the trees are often attacked below too, and deprived of their roots, as well as their branches, thus cutting off their supply of nutriment from the atmosphere above, and from their legitimate sources of supply from the soil. Both these practices ought to be most strictly interdicted.

My indignation and regret have a thousand times been excited, on seeing the noblest of all our Hedge-row Trees, the Oak, clipped of its beautiful proportions, and reduced by repeated snaring, as it is most aptly called, to the capacity and shape of a huge besom! and by this truly infamous treatment, deprived not only of all its scenic beauty, but actually of its specific character! and, if not altogether stopped in its growth, rendered utterly worthless for application to the chief end and purpose for which it is adapted and intended. I need not say, that I mean—the building of ships.

Upon this subject there ought not to be two opinions: neither will there, among those who really understand it; but it is much to be lamented, that a very large portion of the Hedge-row Timber of this country is in the hands of persons who either do not understand the management of it, or who are indifferent about it. It very frequently happens, that there is no person but the Land Steward, who can make any pretensions to a correct judgment in the matter, and he has often quite enough to attend to, without so responsible a duty as this is—being added to his department. He therefore, very naturally, attends to those duties which are indispensable; and as for the Timber, &c. &c. he only thinks about it seriously, when he wishes to ascertain how much of it he can turn to profit.

Every considerable estate ought to have a person upon it, whose attention shall exclusively be devoted to the supervision of the Woods, Plantations and Hedge Rows, &c. He should be a well-educated and an intelligent man; and should be so well-paid for his services, as to feel that his employer has a moral claim upon him, for the entire devotion of his mind, as well as his physical powers, to the efficient discharge of his duties.

An inquiry into the natural history of Hedge-row Timber, if I may so speak of it, would furnish a field for highly interesting remark, and it would assuredly remove any doubts that might remain in the minds of those who have gone no farther than to suspect that the management of it has been bad. When it is considered that the Timber of our Hedges is the product of chance, or even worse than that, that it has grown to what it is, notwithstanding that it has been subjected to the most barbarous treatment; it is impossible not to perceive, that if it had been watched and tended as it ought to have been, it would have equalled any thing that could have been conceived of it.

The classes of trees which may be met with in our Hedge-rows are various, and are so situated in many places, as to really give rise to the idea just now referred to—that they are found there, more as a matter of chance, than of design: and this may be assigned, partly at least, as the reason why they have been so neglected, or so shamefully used. If they had been planted, and if any calculation at all were made before planting, it might be imagined that a gentleman would wish to ascertain what would be the surest mode of raising a class of fine unblemished trees, whether they were Oaks, or Elms, or Ash, or any other kind; and having carefully, and at some expense, introduced them into his hedges, it is difficult to suppose, that he would either leave them to shift for themselves, or to the tender mercies of their natural enemies, the occupiers of the land on which they might be growing: it is therefore more than probable, that a considerable proportion of them are in the hedges more by accident than any thing else. But however that may be, the fact remains the same: they are, very generally, standing memorials of the ignorance of the men in whose care they have been placed, and a triumphant vindication of the propriety of my title.

If Hedge-row Trees have length of bole, they have it—not because they were properly trained and assisted when they were young, and therefore needed it, but—in consequence, most likely, of indiscriminate lopping and pruning at some former period of their growth, the fruits of which, although now invisible to the unpracticed eye, will appear hereafter, to the dismay, and serious loss, of the person who may have to saw them up.

I have elsewhere given my opinion very freely on the subject of pruning, but as it will be necessary just to glance at it, in connection with Hedge-row Timber, I will again take the Oak, which is almost the only tree that I would recommend for hedges. As this noble tree will naturally grow of a bush-like shape, when standing alone, it is absolutely necessary that it be pruned, or it will not acquire sufficient length of stem. I am not, therefore, the wholesale condemner of pruning, even of Hedge-row Trees, but I would have no pruning done after they had arrived at a certain age—say, twenty years: all work of this kind should be done during the infancy of the tree, or not at all. I would much sooner cut down a tree, if it had not sufficient length of bole, and trust to the chance of raising a better from its stool, than take off large branches, particularly if it was not over thirty years of age. Indeed the former method of repairing the mischief of long neglect, appears to me as one peculiarly adapted to the circumstances in which some estates are placed, as to the timber; and I should not hesitate to adopt it upon an extensive scale. I have, in fact, seen many estates where I should cut down Oaks very freely, which have not length of bole, or which, from some cause or other, are not healthy; even though they might not produce timber enough to pay for the cost of cutting. There are estates within less than two hours ride of my residence, which are apparently well stocked with timber, but it is of such quality that, were it under my own management, I should instantly cut it down; and from a large proportion of the stools I should train up a new race of trees. These would, if well attended to, grow into a class and quality of timber, very little, if at all, inferior to maiden trees; while, on the other hand, from those which are standing, whatever length of time they may remain, nothing can be expected, but a small quantity of timber, and that of middling quality. But to return to pruning. In a Wood, or a Plantation, trees will draw up each other to a certain length, and many of the lateral branches, from the exclusion of light and air, will die, and some of them will fall off; this is, of course, natural pruning: but in a Hedge-row, they have no such help, they will, therefore, require artificial pruning; which should commence at the time of planting, and continue until it can be seen that they will assuredly acquire ample length of bole. The kind of pruning which is here advocated cannot possibly do any harm, if it be well done, and done at a proper season. The soundness of an Oak will in no degree be impaired by it; and consequently, it will be, on all accounts, more serviceable for naval purposes, than if it were not pruned; for it will not surely be contended, that clearness of grain, and length of stem, are not likely to recommend it to the ship-builder. So far from having a doubt upon this point, I am of opinion that timber thus carefully trained, will be, on every account, incomparably superior to that which is at present obtained from our Hedge-rows;—it will exhibit a healthy developement, from the pith to the alburnum; so that wherever there is a bend, a crook, or a knee, in it, the purchaser will be sure that it is sound—whereas the very opposite is the case with by far the greater part of that which now comes into the market. The reckless extent to which the abominable practice of pruning, lopping, or snaring—whichever it may be called—is carried, renders the conversion of timber a very hazardous speculation, and should long since have taught the growers of it, to avoid the commission of such an error themselves, and to impose a heavy penalty on all those belonging to them, who should be found guilty of it.

To illustrate a little further the statement here made, and the opinion here given, it may be remarked, that the effect of such a vile mutilation of Hedge-row Timber as is, in almost every quarter, permitted, is seen and felt most in those very parts where strength is most wanted, and which, if sound, would render the timber so much the more valuable. It is on the outsides of bends or knees, that blemishes are so frequently found, and which are often so considerable, as to reduce the value of a valuable crook to almost nothing.

These defects in timber are sometimes so far within the body of the tree, as to elude the scrutiny of the keenest eye, proving, in some very old trees, that pruning is not an evil of modern date. In a still greater proportion, as to the whole quantity, however, the eye of Ship-builders, or Timber Merchants—all of whom have frequently been bitten—will detect, from external appearances, the snag-pruning, covered over both with wood and bark; and consequently, they protect themselves as well as they can in their purchases, against the contingency of unsound timber, by shaping their offers accordingly. This, of course, affects the seller in no inconsiderable degree, and is one other reason why he should put a stop to the practice of pruning altogether, except when it could be done under the eye of his own Wood Manager.

The last point connected with Hedge-row Trees which I shall mention, is the planting of them; but upon this part of the subject, I shall not say much. I might, indeed, have passed it over in silence, and still have fulfilled the requirements of my Title-page; but inasmuch as the planting of Hedge-row Timber, must form a part of an improved system of management, however it may be left out of the present practice, it does not seem quite right to overlook it altogether.

If Hedge-row Trees are to succeed at all, they must have a good start; and if they are to have a good start, there must, of necessity, be some trouble bestowed in the preparation of the site on which they are to be planted. In the fences of new inclosures there will be no difficulty at all. If the border, as it is often called, be well prepared for the quick, it will be in a right state for an Oak Tree; and it would really appear to be a piece of unaccountable neglect—an inexplainable circumstance, as the act of a man of business—if a tract of land were to be enclosed, and new fences put down, without the opportunity being seized to plant a suitable number of Oak Trees. I say, of Oak Trees, because I am persuaded that it would be very difficult indeed to find a locality where any other kind of timber, other circumstances being equal, would be likely to pay so well. In the line of every Quick fence, then, I should certainly recommend that healthy Oak Plants, of four years old, which have been at least twice transplanted in the nursery, should be inserted, at a distance from each other—say, of twenty yards—and if they are properly guarded and nursed, nothing is more certain, than that they will become a fine race of trees. But planting young Oaks, or young trees of any kind, in an old Hedge-row, is quite a different affair. It is indeed an undertaking involving real difficulty, and requiring a very considerable degree of skill on the part of the workman, and of firmness and determination on the part of his employer.

It would be found all but impossible to rear a young Oak in the exact line of an old and vigorous thorn hedge; but there are many situations which present much less difficulty. For example: In the year when a hedge is plashed or laid, where there is a moderate space on the bank which has been raised when the quick was first planted—say, of a foot or more—there will be room for a tree; and in all cases, where the bank has not been pared down, there will be more room than is here supposed. Many other places, such as the sides of the banks of large ditches, the gaps of hedges, &c. &c. may be met with, on almost every estate, which ought to be filled with Oaks, after the ground has been prepared in a suitable manner.

But, a previous preparation of the plant is necessary. Planting in Hedge-rows, where planting has been done at all, has been performed in the same ill-adapted way as every thing else relating to timber. The plants have been taken out of the nursery, indiscriminately with others, which have been intended for close planting; instead of having such, and such only, as have been twice or thrice shifted, and each time into a more exposed situation, and wider apart, in order that they might acquire more fibrous roots, and induration of bark, and thus be enabled to cope with, and surmount, the disadvantages of their new position. Another point, which has previously been hinted at, is the guarding of the trees. No matter what the expense may be, if a gentleman determines to have Hedge-row Timber, he must guard it well. It stands more in need of the watchful eye of the Wood Manager than almost any thing else: in fact, it is of little or no use planting at all, if a good and sufficient guard fence be not immediately put down: but, having put in good plants, and effectually protected them, I say again, I know of no reason why Hedge-row Timber should not thrive and prosper, and, ultimately, turn out as sound, as any other. That it is not so with the race of Timber Trees now growing, except to a very limited extent, I assert without fear of contradiction; and, with the same confidence, I plead this fact as my justification, when I re-assert, that their treatment, from first to last, is neither more nor less, than a course of gross “MISMANAGEMENT.”

THE END.

Printed by J. PERFECT, Cartergate, Newark.

Transcriber’s Notes

pg 47 Changed: in the agregate, a comparatively valueless property to: in the aggregate, a comparatively valueless property

pg 119 Changed: having carefully, and at some expence to: having carefully, and at some expense

pg 122 Changed: are not likely to recommed it to: are not likely to recommend it