ITS TREES.
111
have they been lopped until quite recently, but they
have been overshadowed by younger and more vigorous
trees, and their decay thereby much hastened. The
oaks have been much injured in some recent seasons
by a plague of the small green caterpillar (Tortrix
viridana), which devours the young leaf in May and
June. In 1881 and 1882 in particular, every vestige
of foliage was eaten from many of the oaks, and the
caterpillars hung in festoons from the bare branches,
which were surrounded later in the year by dense clouds
of the small moths. Although a second foliage was
put forth many trees succumbed to this serious check.
It was probably indirectly caused by the severe winters
of 1879 and 1880, which, by destroying immense num-
bers of birds, promoted an unnatural increase in the
insects upon which they prey. The jays, by destroying
great quantities of eggs, befriend the caterpillars, and
are partly responsible for the mischief. The birds have,
however, now recovered their majority. The cater-
pillars are in opposition, and the foliage during the past
two seasons has been all that could be desired.
The Beech (Fagus sylvatica) is certainly entitled to the
second place, if not the first, among the Forest trees for
its beauty and hardiness. It is easily distinguished by
its smooth massive stem and light-green satiny leaves.
From its habit of rooting close to the surface, and from
its dense foliage, as a rule, nothing will grow under its
branches; but the bare surface is very beautiful when it
is carpeted in spring with the brown sheaths which
have protected the buds during winter, and again by
the falling leaves in autumn. Less patient of moisture
than the oak, few good specimens are found in such
stiff soils as Fairmead thicket; but on the drier hills it
is crowding its rival out, and makes fine timber. It is
as noble a tree as the oak, but not so long lived. The
"mast" or nuts are shed in great profusion, and are a
favourite food of the deer. The best beeches in the
Forest are found along the green ride in Epping Thicks.
Unlike the groves of High Beach and Monk Wood, these
have never been pollarded; and, as they stand some-
what thinly, they have not been punished by competing
trees, but have made fine lateral growth which weeps
nearly to the ground.
The Hornbeam (Carpinus Betulus) is a tree of less im-
posing growth than either of the preceding, but it is
much more widely spread than either of them. No
soil, however wet or dry, comes amiss to it; and, un-