243
OUR FOREST TREES, AND HOW THEY
SHOULD BE REPRESENTED IN THE
FOREST MUSEUM.
By PROF. G. S. BOULGER, F.L.S., F.G.S. (Vice-President).
[Being Abstract of an Address delivered at the meeting at Chingford on
October 31st, 1896.]
FEW persons would imagine that we have about fifty distinct
species of trees within our Forest limits. This is exclusive of
such recent introductions as the Rhododendrons of Oak Hill
Enclosure, and of dwarf shrubs such as Furze, Broom, or some of
the smaller Willows. One hesitates a little as to the inclusion of
Blackthorn and Dogwood ; and some species recorded in the past
probably exist no longer, Yew and Juniper being, perhaps, the most
prominent in the latter category. Our one existing Conifer, Pinus
sylvestris, though the few examples at Fairmead are well known to
all visitors, and though it is recorded as having been previously
self-sown at Snaresbrook Pond has no claim to rank as indigenous.
The Bird Cherry (Prunus padus) was recorded from near Epping by
Doubleday, but I do not think it exists any longer ; and among
species of the present occurrence of which I am in doubt are the
Rowan (Pyrus aucuparia) and the Service (Pyrus torminalis.) The
Small-leaved Linden (Tilia parvifolia) is almost certainly wild in the
county, if not within the Forest area, though other species have been
planted. The Maple (Acer campestre), the beautifully-fruited
Spindle-tree (Euonymus europaeus), the Wayfaring-tree (Viburnum
lantana), and the Guelder-rose (V. opulus) are not common, if the
two latter even occur. The Hazel (Corylus avellana) is almost confined
to Epping Thicks, and the Alder (Alnus glutinosa) to the banks of
the Ching, though outside the Forest both these species are fairly
common. Dull-Boy Slade still rejoices in one Pear (Pyrus com-
munis), and anyone who has not seen our Forest Crab-apples (Pyrus
maius)—originally preserved on account of the deer—when in
flower, should take the first opportunity of doing so. There are
two sub-species of this tree and two also of the Hawthorn (Crataegus
oxyacantha) represented in our area. The Oaks are represented by