§ Sir A. SHIRLEY BENNasked the hon. Member for Monmouth as representing the Forestry Commissioners what is the average percentage of merchantable timber found in a Corsican pine, and what is the tensile strength and average value per cubic foot?
§ Sir L. FORESTIER-WALKERThe replies to these questions can be given on a comparative basis only, since well-grown Corsican pine has not been 751W marketed to any great extent in this country. The form of the Corsican pine compares well with other conifers, and the proportion of sawn timber recovered from the log is high. No systematic tests have yet been made of the tensile strength, which is believed to be somewhat less than that of Scots pine. Arrangements have been made for appropriate tests, both commercial and in the laboratory, to be conducted. The intrinsic value per cubic foot is less than that of Scots pine, probable prices in both cases depending on cleanness of growth, accessibility to markets and other factors.
§ Sir A. SHIRLEY BENNasked what number of Corsican pine trees have been planted, and the reason why this kind of tree has been selected?
§ Sir L. FORESTIER-WALKERIt may serve the hon. Member's purpose to state that out of 54,396,000 conifers planted by the Forestry Commissioners during the last three years, 6,566,000, or 12 per cent., were Corsican pine. This tree is being planted chiefly on sandy soils where, judging from sample plots, arid also from observations in the field, it produces approximately 50 per cent. more timber than the Scots pine. It is important that the stock of growing coniferous timber should be renewed as quickly as possible, even though part of it may prove to be of average quality only.
§ Sir A. SHIRLEY BENNasked how many years were necessary from the date of planting before the Corsican pine is ready for felling?
§ Sir L. FORESTIER-WALKERAn average stand of Corsican pine will contain 85 tons of pitwood at 40 years, or 6,000 cubic feet of saw timber at 80 years, but thinnings for use as pitwood begin about the 25th year.