234 OBSERVATIONS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF
have been cut down to the stool, leading to a totally different growth
from those parts where the trees were pollarded.
Crossing the Theydon Road we enter Theydon High Wood,
which is distinct from any other part of the woodland and resembles
the German beech forests, the stems standing very thickly. Where
some of these beeches have had room to put out laterals we have
given them more room. Otherwise the foliage would all be confined
to one plane, forty feet from the ground, which gives a monotonous
effect. Here a rich carpet of beech leaves takes the place of under-
growth.
Continuing to the south we enter Loughton Manor. Owing to
the fact that the right of pollarding was vested in the whole of the
householders in Loughton, no "spear" trees were allowed to develop,
and I do not pretend that this is a characteristic which I should
altogether desire to maintain. Here we have tried to break the
monotony of the wood by opening considerable patches which will
in time give us young growth. I recommend you to examine what
we have done, in this way, below the green ride which leads from
Goldings Hill to Debden Green. In some parts of Loughton,
Theydon, and Waltham Manors there have been large clearances,
chiefly caused by fires. In many of these, groves of silvery birches
of exquisite grace are filling the gap.
I might continue to lead you through every section of the Forest,
and point out in each one characteristics which are peculiar to itself,
not only in the growth of trees, but in that which covers the surface,
grass, heather, brake fern, or blackthorn, according to the soil and
aspect. I attach great value to this variety, and in my opinion
we should endeavour to maintain and accentuate it in our treat-
ment of the Woodlands.
(2.) PRESERVATION OF NATURAL FEATURES.
It goes without saying that in a natural forest we should preserve
those features which are not of man's doing. As an instance of this
I may mention my desire to retain trees which are decaying, trees
which are dead, trees which have been overthrown by the forces of
nature, as well as those which are in full vigour. I have recently
spent a fortnight exploring one of the largest natural forests in
Eastern Europe. Here, to my mind, the chief beauty resides not
in the standing trees but in the giants that lie prone among their
roots. Many of them have so lain for several centuries. They are
gorgeous with moss and lichen, and their great trunks are seed beds