ITS TREES.
113
and by its autumn berries. Waggoners, passing through
the Forest to London, deck their teams with great
branches of May blossom, but there is enough and to
spare for all. When not overshadowed by other trees
it grows in a dense bush, not more than 12 feet high,
with a flat rounded head.
The Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) forms the most impenet-
rable undergrowth in the Forest. It flowers earlier than
the may, and is a welcome forerunner of spring. It
is the parent of our plums and bullaces, which have
been developed from it by ages of cultivation in our
gardens.
The Common Crab (Pyrus Malus) is the wild representative of
the apple. It is widely spread through the Forest. The
blossoms, with which the tree is smothered in May, are
highly ornamental. The deer feed greedily on the
apples, which they eat whole, and do not seem any the
worse for. For this reason the tree was not allowed to
be pollarded. The stems are rugged and picturesque.
The Bird Cherry (Prunus Cerasus).—I believe I have seen
this tree growing in the Forest, and have no doubt
that it used to do so, but I cannot now put my hand
on it. In any case it is scarce. It is gay in spring,
and the autumn leaves colour richly.
The Common Sallow or Goat Willow (Salix caprea) forms
a small bush in rough places and the hollows left by
old gravel pits. It produces the "goslings" which
children are fond of gathering at Easter.
The Holly (Ilex Aquifolium), the chief evergreen we possess,
grows freely throughout the Forest wherever the soil
is tolerably dry. It is not much observed in the sum-
mer ; but when other trees are bare, from the shelter
and seclusion which it affords, and from the deep green
of its glossy leaves, it is invaluable. For some reason
which I cannot explain it does not often bear berries
in the Forest. This is as well, as otherwise large
quantities of it might disappear at Christmas time.
Butcher's Broom {Ruscus aculcatus) is the only other ever-
green indigenous to the Forest. There is not much of
it, and what there is, is not very ornamental.