OF FOREST-TREES.

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CHAPTER III.

Of the AGE , STATURE , FELLING of TREES.

The Age of trees, except of the Coniferous, (for the most part known CHAF '_ m /by the degrees of their tapering branches) is vulgarly reckoned by thenumber of solar revolutions, or circles; the former bark being digested age.and compacted into a ligneous and woody substance, is annually investedby a succeeding bark, which yet in fome trees is not finished so soon asin others, as we find in the Oak, Elm, Pine, Plumb-tree, &c. whichexceed one another in growth* however co-equal in years : But of thishereafter. In the mean time, it is not till a tree is arrived to his perfectage and full vigour, that the Lord of the forest should consult or deter-mine concerning a felling; for there' is certainly in trees, as in all thingselse, a time of increment or growth ; a status or season when they are atbest, (which is also that of felling) and a decrement or period when theydecay. To the first of these they proceed with more or lefs velocity, asthey consist of more strict and compacted particles, or are of a slighterand more lax contexture, by which they receive a speedier or slower de-fluxion of aliment. This is apparent in Box and Willow; the one of aharder, the other of a more tender substance ; but as they proceed, sothey likewise continue. By the state of trees I would signify theirutmost effort, growth, and maturity, which are all of them different as totime and kind; yet do not I intend by this any period or instant in whichthey do not continually either improve or decay, (the end of one being,still the beginning of the other) but farther than which their natures donot extend ; but immediately (though to our senses imperceptible)through some infirmity (to which all sublunary things are obnoxious)dwindle and impair, either through age, defect of nourishment, by sick-nefs, and decay of principal parts; but especially, and more inevitably,when violently invaded by mortal and incurable infirmities, or by whatother extinction of their vegetative heat, substraction or obstruction ofair and moisture, which making all motions whatsoever to cease anddetermine, is- the cause of their final destruction.

Our honeft countryman, to whofe experience we have been obliged forsomething I have lately animadverted concerning the pruning of trees,,