Chapter 10 - Description Of Trees

Street and avenue trees
Upright or bound-headed trees, weeping trees
Trees with deeply cut foliage
Trees with colored foliage.

In this chapter is given a brief description of the most valuable and beautiful trees, shrubs, and plants, and an effort will be made to point out in as few words as possible any peculiarities they possess or special treatment they may require for their most successful growth.

For convenience of reference they are arranged in the following groups:

1. Street- or avenue-trees.
2. Upright or round-headed lawn-trees.
3. Weeping trees.
4. Trees with fine or cut foliage.
5. Trees with colored foliage.
6. Evergreen trees.
7. Ornamental shrubs.
8. Climbing vines.
9. Hedge-plants.
10. Hardy herbaceous plants.
11. Ornamental grasses.
12. Bedding-plants.
13. Subtropical plants.
14. Aquatic plants.
15. Hardy ferns.

Street- or Avenue-trees.*

Nothing adds so much to the beauty and comfort of our streets and roadways, especially in the summer, as well-grown trees on both sides, arid we find many towns and cities throughout oar country noted for the large number and beauty of their street-trees.

The following list includes those best suited for this purpose:

Elm, American.                         Ash, White. "      Slippery.                           Oak, Red. "     European.                          "     Scarlet. Maple, Sugar.                           Chestnut, American. "          Silver.                           Hickory, White. Walnut, Black.                          Tulip-tree.

AMERICAN OR WHITE ELM ( Ulmus Americana), Fig. 72. —This is unquestionably the finest street or avenue shade-tree in the world. Its high arching branches spreading gracefully over the lawn, drive, walk, or roadway give an

abundant shade, and yet a chance for air to circulate freely under its branches. It varies greatly in form, from the broad round head to the very upright and strict vase form, all of them, however, assuming more or less the graceful arching growth.

Fig. 71—A Well-Decorated City Street. (From the Tree-planting Association of New York City.)
(To face page 136.)

It grows to the greatest perfection in a deep, moist, alluvial soil and is very easily transplanted. It is often taken from the swamp or pasture and transplanted to the open lawn or roadside with success, though nursery-grown trees if tall and clean with the branches 10 to 12 feet from the ground are more satisfactory.

In training a young tree a forked growth should be avoided, Fig. 24, and a single leading shoot encouraged with lateral branches established at intervals on opposite sides of the main trunk, as in Fig. 18. If allowed to make the forked growth, they are certain sooner or later to be split down by the weight of snow or force of storms. This should receive especial attention with trees taken from the woods or roadsides, and cut back to the " bean-pole " condition, as is often practiced, and all of the lateral shoots be kept headed back until the leader has full control, as in Fig. 23.

SLIPPERY-ELM (Ulmus fulver).—This species is of a broader growth with larger leaves, but not quite the graceful form of the white elm, nor is it quite so large, but a valuable tree under some conditions.

EUROPEAN ELM (Ulmus campestris).—More upright and compact than the American species, and valuable where a less spreading tree is desired. All of the elms are subject to the attack of the elm-beetle, canker-worm, the elm-scale, and other insects, and need close attention to prevent their being seriously injured.    See chapter on insects, page 261.

SUGAR-MAPLE (Acer saccharinum).—Perhaps no tree is so largely planted for streets and roadways as this, and it has many valuable qualities. It is clean, upright, easily transplanted, and grows rapidly, but is somewhat subject to disease and the attack of the maple-tree borer, maple-louse, and other insects and fungous pests which have often destroyed large trees and broken into many a fine avenue of stately growth.

SILVER MAPLE (A. dasycarpum), Fig. 73.—This rapid-growing tree is being largely planted in many places. It is a clean tree of great beauty, and thus far has shown no tendency to disease or the attack of insects. The tendency it has of forming several main forked branches must be overcome by heading in all but the central leading branch, until it has become well established, as with the elms, shown in Fig. 23. This species thrives on all kinds of soil, but makes the best growth in a rather moist, deep soil.

FIG. 73—Silver Maple (Acer dasycarpum).

FIG. 72—American Elm (17. Americana).
(To face page 138.)

WHITE ASH (Fraxitius Americana).—In growth this tree is very much like the sugar-maple with a little less of the conical form. The foliage is of a dark, rich color and free from insects and fungous pests. It is rather easily broken down by ice and wind-storms, and requires a heavy soil for its best development.

BED OAK (Quercus rubra).—Of the oaks this and the next species are the best for street decoration, but they can only be used along   narrow roadways by training   the branches high. This is best done by keeping the lower branches clipped in, as in Fig. 74, and when strong main branches have been formed high enough to be above all danger of striking passing teams the lateral ones may be cut away entirely.

FIG. 74.—Red Oak Pruned To Make Branch High.

SCARLET OAK (Quercus tinctoria, var. coccinia).—Somewhat like the red oak in habit of growth, but with thinner and more deeply lobed leaves and producing more brilliant colors in autumn. The oaks are rather slow and heavy in growth, but when they become well established are especially desirable on account of their long life, sturdiness, and strength. They are difficult to transplant and can only be moved with certainty of success by frequent transplanting in the nursery. To prepare an oak standing in the field for successful transplanting, a trench 10 inches to 1 foot wide must be dug about the tree from 2 to 4 feet from the trunk, according to size, and at least 2 feet deep. This trench should be filled with good soil to encourage the development of fine fibrous roots. In two years' time, if the work has been well done, enough fibrous roots will be formed to render transplanting safe.

AMERICAN CHESTNUT (Gastanea vesca, var. Americana). —This tree grows to the greatest perfection in many sections of the United States, and in soils where the elm, maple, ash, and oak do not thrive. It is free from disease and the attack of insects, rapid in growth, with a beautiful dark green foliage, and its abundant flowers in July make it an attractive feature of the landscape. Its fruit, too, is valuable and might be made a source of some profit if properly managed. Like the oak, it is difficult to transplant, and it has the same tendency to branch low when planted in full exposure, but these objections can be remedied in the same manner as with the oak, and its broad-spreading habit with proper treatment would make it a close rival of the American elm.

WHITE HICKORY OR SHAGBARK (Carya alba).—On very heavy soils this tree may become a very good street-tree, but on light land it would be of no value. Its habit of growth is tall and upright, with bright green foliage, and is generally free from insect or fungous attack. It is even more difficult to transplant than the oak or chestnut, but it may be started from seed where it is to grow or be prepared for transplanting in the nursery or fields, as is the oak or chestnut.

BLACK WALNUT (Juglans nigra),—No grander tree can be found among those native of the United States than the black walnut as occasionally seen in the Eastern States and very frequently in the West, but it is not often seen planted in avenues. It is difficult to transplant and requires a rather heavy soil for its best growth, but if properly treated, i.e., like the oak and chestnut, will make very beautiful street-trees. It is rather slow in growth, and requires a little care to prevent the formation of low-forked main branches.

TULIP-TREE (Liriodendron tulipifera).—This is one of our most beautiful trees, and if it could be more easily transplanted would be more largely used as a street- or avenue-tree than it now is. The fibrous roots of this tree are very succulent and easily injured by extreme pressure or by exposure to drying winds or sun, and the greatest care must be exercised in transplanting it. If transplanted frequently in the nursery, it may be safely moved until it reaches the growth of 3 or 4 inches in diameter; otherwise only young trees should be used, and more careful protection be given them against injury than would be required for larger trees of other species.

Many other species of trees might be used for street or avenue decoration under some conditions, but the above list includes the best for general purposes. Scarcely one tenth of our roadways, and probably much less, are adorned with ornamental trees; even in many of the thriving towns and cities little attention is given to this matter, and the author would urge the use of more variety of species and less of the stereotyped kinds, like the elm and maple.

Upright or Round-headed Trees.

The following list, while not including all the trees desirable under varying conditions, yet contains the greater number of the most beautiful and especially those that will most certainly thrive under ordinary care. Many of the very new or rare varieties are not included for the reason that little is known of their real value, and it is almost the universal experience that a large percentage of the new introductions fail to realize the promise of their early growth soon developing some weakness, disease, or undesirable features, and their value cannot be determined until they have been tested for many years under various conditions of soil and exposure.

List of upright ok round-headed  trees.

Maple, English.                         Chestnut, Horse. " Norway.                                "            "    Red-flowered. " Sycamore.                              Shadbush. " Schwerdler's.                         Birch, European White. " Keitenbach's.                         "      Sweet or Cherry. " Red.                                       "     American White or Gray. '' Tartarian.                               Catalpa. " Japanese.                               Cherry, Flowering. Eedbud.                                   Bos-elder. White-fringe.                            Cork-tree, Chinese. Dogwood, Flowering.               Locust, Yellow. Hawthorn, English.                    Willow, White. Golden-chain.                           "       Golden. Beech, American.                     "       Red-twigged. "       European.                        Basswood or Linden, American. Ash, European.                         "          "      "      European. "    Aucuba-leaved.                   "          "      "      White-leaved, Locust, Honey.                         Mountain Ash, American. Coffee tree, Kentucky.             "          "     European. China-tree.                               "          "     Oak-leaved. Plane-tree.                                Hop-tree. Poplar, or Abele Silver.            Oak, White. Bolley's.                                   "    Bed. "      Black or Italian.                 "    Scarlet. Peach and Plum, Flowering.      "    Swamp White. Apple, Flowering.                     "    Pin. "     Chinese.                             "    English. Sweet-gum.                              "    Fern-leaved. Magnolia, Umbrella.                 "    Variegated. . "        Cucumber.                      "    Purple-leaved. "        Soulange's.                      "    Pyramidal. "        Swamp.                          "    Chestnut. "         Showy.                          Elm, Scotch. Mulberry.                                 Larch, European.

ENGLISH MAPLE (Acer campestris).-—A slow-growing maple forming a compact small tree, with corky ridges on the bark and handsome foliage.

NORWAY MAPLE (A. platanoides).—While young this tree resembles somewhat the sugar-maple, but as it grows older it takes on a more rounded, massive head. The leaves are broad and thin, palmately lobed, and change to a light golden color in the autumn. Its large flowers and broad-winged fruit are also ornamental. It is easily transplanted and thrives in ordinarily good soil.
 
SCHWERDLER’S MAPLE (A. p., var. Schwerdlerii).— During the spring and early summer the young leaves of this tree are beautifully colored with purplish crimson, but they soon change to a dark bronze green. It is one of the most beautiful and ornamental of the maples during this early growth.

REITENBACH'S MAPLE [A. p., var. Reitenbachii).— This is not quite so beautifully colored in the spring as the last, but retains its color later in the season. Also very valuable.

SYCAMORE MAPLE {A. pseudo-platanus).—A handsome broad-spreading tree, similar in form to the last, with large, thick, dark green leaves. It is rapid in growth and free from the attack of insects and fungous pests. It is rather heavy and coarse in growth and is not as beautiful as either the sugar or Norway maple.

RED OK SCARLET MAPLE (A. rubrurri).—Our common swamp or red maple, found growing throughout our Eastern, middle, and Western States, where it gives the most brilliant coloring to the landscape by its bright red flowers and fruit in the spring and the variously colored leaves in the autumn. It grows best in rather moist locations, is easily transplanted, and free from disease.

SILVER MAPLE (A. dasycarpum).—See Avenue- or Street-trees.

TARTARIAN MAPLE {A. Tartarica).—A small tree with small cut and lobed leaves, somewhat like those of the gray birch, making an interesting and beautiful tree wheri in flower or in fruit and again by its brilliant coloring in the autumn.

JAPANESE MAPLES [A. polymorphism and Japonicum). —These are small-growing trees possessing a great variety of forms and coloring of foliage. They are very difficult to propagate and therefore are expensive,

but in deep warm soil a little sheltered from extreme drying winds they thrive well and make most beautiful ornaments. The first-named species has produced the most varying forms, some of which have finely cut fern-like leaves, and of varying colors from dark green through many stages of variegation to the darkest red or purple.

FIG. 75—Japanese Maple (A. polymorplium).

Among the best of these are:

Red-leaved Japanese maple (A. p., var. sanguineum).

Fig. 75. Purple-leaved "            "      (A. p., var. atropurpurum).

Purple cut-leaved weeping Japanese maple (A. p., var. dis-sectum atropurpurum).

Green   cut-leaved   weeping  Japanese maple   (A. p., var. pinnatifidum).

Rose-variegated cut-leaved weeping Japanese maple {A.p., var. dissectum roseo-pictis).

Rose-margined Japanese maple (A. p., var.  roseo-margi-natci).

Plain-leaved Japanese maple {A. p.).
"        "  "           "     (A. p., var. Jaconita).
Golden-"          "           "      (A. Japonica, var. aurea).
Crisped-"         "           "     (A. Japonica, var. crespa).

HORSE-CHESTNUT (Ǽsculus Hippocastanum).—This tree possesses much beauty in its compact regular form and dark green foliage, but it is especially beautiful when in blossom with its large, compact panicles of white and rose-colored flowers. It is easily grown from seed, readily transplanted, hardy, and succeeds on a variety of soils.

RED-FLOWERED HORSE-CHESTNUT (2E. H., var. rubi-cunda).—Although not quite so conspicuous a tree as the last, it has more of the quiet beauty, with its dark green foliage and light red flowers.

SERVICE-BERRY OR SHADBUSH (Amelanchia Canadensis). —A native tree of small size that produces the most beautiful mass of pure white flowers very early in the spring before any but the fruit-trees are in bloom. It is perfectly hardy, but is liable to be attacked by the apple-borer and must have frequent attention to prevent injury by this insect. It succeeds best in rather sheltered locations, and "though a native " deserves much more frequent use.

CANOE-BIRCH (Betula papyracea).—There is scarcely a more beautiful or easily grown tree than the canoe-birch. It succeeds in nearly all kinds of soil and is transplanted without much difficulty if trees of too large size are not attempted, those of 1 to 1½ inches in diameter being the best. It is especially beautiful when planted among evergreens or in contrast with trees and shrubs with bright yellow or red shoots for winter effect.

EUROPEAN WHITE BIRCH (Betula alba).—Somewhat similar to canoe-birch, with smaller foliage and perhaps a little more graceful outline. A desirable tree, though the cut-leaved weeping form is so much superior that it is not often planted.

SWEET OR CHERRY BIRCH (B. lenta).—Few of our native trees are more regular or graceful in outline than this species when grown in full exposure, but it being a common native tree and producing no conspicuous flowers it has not received the attention it deserves. Trees from the woods or roadside are difficult to transplant, but when grown in the nursery are easily transplanted. They succeed best in a rather moist soil.

AMERICAN" WHITE OR GRAY BIRCH (B.populifolia).—A very pretty tree when grown with a single trunk or in the group or clumps it so naturally makes. It is easily transplanted while small and grows well in the poorest kinds of soil. In transplanting large trees, i.e., from 1 to 3 inches in diameter, the trunk should be cut down to the ground and one or more shoots be allowed to grow as desired. This treatment gives a vigorous straight growth that may be put into any shape desired and the growth is very rapid.

AMERICAN CHESTNUT (Castanea Americana).—If allowed to grow with full exposure, this will make a very broad round-headed tree, and is very beautiful upon large grounds. Description and treatment for transplanting were given under Avenue- or Street-trees. The  fruit of  the Spanish and Japanese varieties is much larger but not of as good quality as that of the American, and the trees are less vigorous. Improved varieties of our native chestnut with fruit of large size are now offered and established trees are sometimes grafted with them with success. The smaller and more vigorous the stock the more certain the success in grafting.of subtropical effect, producing very large heart-shaped leaves and large panicles of flowers after nearly all other trees have bloomed. It is not quite hardy at the North and the trees should not be transplanted to full exposure of the lawn until they reach 2 to 15 inches in diameter to be most successful.

FIG. 76—Catalpa Speciosa.
Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa), Fig. 76.—A beautiful tree

FLOWERING CHERRIES (Primus, sp.).—Several of the flowering cherries are offered by nurserymen. They are very beautiful for a few days when in bloom, but the flowers soon fall off and the trees are short-lived. If planted in a light soil and grown slowly, they will live in a fairly good condition much longer than in a heavy or very rich soil. As they grow rapidly, they may be used temporarily, until more permanent trees have reached a good growth, when they can be removed.

REDBUD OR JUDAS-TREE (Cercis Canadensis).—This is a very beautiful small tree, often taking the shrub form, producing an abundance of bright pink flowers before the leaves appear. The latter are of a very dark rich green color that is ornamental all summer. If grown too rapidly while young, it often winter-kills, like many of the trees coming from the middle and Southern States, and succeeds better in the lawn than if planted in a rich border; enough plant-food, however, must be used to produce a fairly vigorous growth.

WHITE-FRINGE (Chionanthus Virginicus), Fig. 77.— Although generally grown in the form of a large shrub, with a little care this may be made to produce a single trunk by pinching or cutting off all lateral buds and shoots on the main trunk. It is very beautiful, with lace-like fringe of flowers hanging from its small branches, and, like the  redbud,  requires some care to prevent  an   excessive growth, which would make it liable to winter-killing.

FIG. 77—White-Frtngk: (Chionanthus Virginicus),

FLOWERING DOGWOOD (Cornus Florida), Fig. 78.—This small tree requires some protection from the hot sun and drying winds of winter to reach its greatest perfection. In full exposure the large white bracts about the flowers, the ornamental part of the blossoms, are often injured, but under the shade of larger trees, on the north slope of a hill or in the shade of buildings and in rather moist soil, it becomes one of the most beautiful of our native small trees. The pink or red form of this species is also very beautiful and valuable.

ENGLISH HAWTHOEN (Cratǽgus oxycantha), Fig. 79.— The double-flowering hawthorns are among the most beautiful of the small trees.    The flowers are very brilliant and abundant and the foliage is of a beautiful dark green color, but, like all the rosaceous plants, the flowers are of short duration. The tree is subject to the attack of both the flat- and round-headed apple-borers and the leaves to several species of fungi, for treatment of which see chapter on Insects and Fungi. The varieties known as Paul's new double, white and red, are among the best.

FIG. 78—Flowering Dogwood Ob Cornel (Cornus Morida).

GOLDEN-CHAIN OR LABURNUM (Cytisus Laburnum).— Where this half-hardy shrub or small tree succeeds, it is one of the most beautiful yellow-flowering trees in existence. It must be grown slowly in the lawn or where the roots of other trees keep the soil in a rather poor condition, although enough plant-food must be applied to produce a fair amount of wood.

AMERICAN BEECH (Fagus ferruginea).—This is one of the finest American trees, but requires a cool moist soil and protection from the hot sun. It is so difficult to transplant that it is not often seen in cultivated grounds, and is rather objectionable as a lawn-tree on account of the leaves, which adhere to the branches nearly all winter. Under some conditions on a large place and among groups of evergreens the very light brown or almost white winter foliage produces pleasing effects.

FIG. 79—English Hawthorn (Cratǽgus oxycanthus).

EUROPEAN BEECH (F. sylvatica). — Rather more graceful in growth than our native species and more easily transplanted, but the winter foliage is of a darker color and not quite so ornamental. This species has produced many interesting and beautiful forms, which will be described under their proper heading.

EUROPEAN ASH (Fraximis excelsa),— This somewhat resembles our native ash in form of tree and color of its foliage; it is easily transplanted and many of its varieties possess considerable value.

AUCUBA-LEAVED ASH (F. Americana, var. aucubǽfolia). —A beautiful tree with variegated foliage, but not so vigorous in growth as the common form. Valuable to plant in contrast with trees of purple or dark green foliage.

HONEY-LOCUST (Gleditschia triacanthos).—A large tree with beautiful foliage and large, often branched thorns, which cover more or less the main branches and sometimes the trunk. It varies much in shape, sometimes making very irregular growth, but it can be trained to a good form by a little judicious pruning. Compact, finely branched trees should be selected if planted on the lawn.

KENTUCKY COFFEE-TREE (Gymnocladus Canadensis).— A hardy native tree with feathery compound leaves, large stiff branches, and large panicles of flowers. Valuable for its subtropical effect.

CHINA-WOOD (Kǽlreuteria paniculata).—A hardy imported tree with good foliage and large panicles of yellowish white flowers in July. It is valuable on account of its large masses of flowers opening so late in the season.

PLANE-TBEE on BUTTON WOOD (Platanus occidentalia).— Were it not for the disease which attacks this tree it would be among the most desirable for ornamenting large places or roadsides. Its most conspicuous features tire the white and olive patches of its very smooth trunk and branches caused by the annual scaling off of the outer bark. A blight, however, attacks the leaves in the early summer, which causes many of them to wither and fall off, but are followed by perfect foliage again later in the season. As a result of this disease the branches become weakened and are easily broken off by wind and storm. It requires a moist rich soil and some very beautiful specimens are found growing in river-bottom lands in many sections of the country.

POPLARS.—Very few, if any, of the poplars are of any value for permanent growth. They are very rapid in growth, easily transplanted, possessing many varying forms and colors, and useful where immediate effect is desired.

SILVER POPLAR OR ABELE (Populus alba).—This very rapid growing tree is especially conspicuous when the silvery under-surface of the leaves are turned up by the wind. It has the fault, however, of throwing up suckers from the roots and is sometimes attacked by insects. To prevent the suckers from gaining strength and becoming troublesome, they should be pulled up, when the shoots separate from the root, and not be cut off at the surface. If cut off at the surface of the ground, the whole root system remains perfect and the buds are ready to start again with renewed vigor.

BOLLEY'S SILVER POPLAR (P. alba, var. Bolleana).— This tree is of a more close and spiry growth than the last, with leaves of a darker color above and equally silvery beneath, and though not fully tested under all conditions promises to be more valuable than the common Abele.

BLACK POPLAR (P. nigra).—A most rapid growing tree of a pyramidal growth and dark green leaves. Trees started from cuttings in 1874 are now more than 2½ feet in diameter and 60 feet high. It has, however, developed a very serious fault in that the lower leaves are attacked by a leaf-rust. As this disease is confined largely to the lower leases, there is no difficulty in checking it, if not wholly preventing, by spraying with the Bordeaux mixture.

FLOWERING PEACHES AND PLUMS (Prunus sp.).—Nothing can be more beautiful than the double-flowering peaches and plums, but the flowers are of short duration and the trees subject to all the diseases and insects that attack the fruit-bearing trees, and are therefore not largely planted. They begin to bloom, however, in a few years from planting and where the expense can be afforded may be planted temporarily to occupy the space until more permanent or slower-growing trees can give the desired effect of shade or ornament.

FLOWERING APPLES.—While the blossoms of the apples are of short duration, like those of the plum, peach, and cherry, the tree is hardy and lasts a much longer time. Among the best of these are:

PARKMAN'S DOUBLE-FLOWERING {Pyrus malus, var. Parkmanii).—This is a rather dwarf tree with rich dark foliage and producing beautiful bright rose-colored double flowers.

CHINESE DOUBLE-FLOWERING APPLE (P. m., var. flore roseo-plena).—Flowers rather larger and more showy than the last.

LIQUIDAMBAR OR SWEET-GUM TREE (Liquidamba styracifolia).A most beautiful tree of regular conical growth, fine dark foliage which takes on a beautiful red and yellow color in the autumn; a native of the middle and Southern States, but proves hardy in New England.

UMBRELLA-TREE {Magnolia tripetala).—Of a rather broad irregular form, its large leaves, often nearly 2 feet long by 8 inches wide, and large showy white flowers make this tree a conspicuous object on the lawn. Like the tulip-tree and the other magnolias, its roots are soft and easily injured and must be treated very carefully in transplanting.

CUCUMBER-TREE [M. acuminata).—A very fine tree, pyramidal in form and producing yellowish fragrant flowers in considerable abundance. It thrives best in a deep warm soil.

SOULANGE'S MAGNOLIA (M. Soulangeana), Fig. 80.—This small tree is the most beautiful, most hardy and useful of the magnolias, the large cup-shaped blossoms of white and purplish color coming before the leaves making it a very conspicuous and beautiful lawn-tree.

SHOWY MAGNOLIA {M. speciosa).—Like the last, but with rather smaller and lighter-colored flowers that last somewhat longer.

SWAMP-MAGNOLIA (M. glauca).—A native tree found in swampy places from Maine to Georgia, and under favorable conditions is a great addition to our list of small trees. The foliage is bright green above and whitish beneath, and, like most of the small magnolias, is generally grafted on the tripetala stock. When grown in the shade of other trees, it holds its foliage nearly all winter.

Some others of the numerous species and varieties of magnolias succeed under favorable conditions, and where they thrive nothing gives more satisfaction.

MULBERRY (Morus alba and rubra).—The mulberry is a tree of good form, with bright green foliage that is ornamental, and many persons are fond of the fruit. The most hardy of the fruit-bearing and perhaps the best variety is the new American.

BOX-ELDER {Acer negnndo),—A rather interesting tree with ash-like foliage and fruit much like that of the common maples. It soon takes an irregular form, is easily broken by wind or ice, and is rather short-lived.

CHINESE CORK-TREE (Phellodendron amurense).-—A very desirable round-headed tree of recent introduction with foliage somewhat like the black walnut. Thus far it has proved clean and free from insects and disease.

YELLOW LOCUST {Robinia pseudo-acacia).—Were it not that this tree is attacked by insects which injure the branches, stopping their growth and causing the growth of suckers from the roots, it would be a great addition to the list of beautiful ornamental trees. Its foliage is fine and feathery, of a rich dark green color, and when in blossom we have no more beautiful tree. It is worthy of continued effort to find a remedy or preventive for the injury of insects, and it has been suggested that by spraying the trunk and main branches with Paris green and water or with this substance in the Bordeaux mixture, in the spring and early summer, this injury may be prevented.

WILLOWS.—Like the poplars, the willows are easily propagated by cuttings and will grow in almost any soil. They grow very rapidly, but soon reach maturity and are not of much value for permanent growth. Some of the weeping varieties are graceful and very ornamental and will be described under the head of Weeping Trees.

WHITE WILLOW (Salix alba).—The most rapid grower of all of the willows and often used to hold embankments and the soil along the borders of ponds and streams in place. While young it is regular in form and ornamental, but as it becomes older takes a more irregular growth and loses much of its beauty.

GOLDEN WILLOW (S. a., var. vitellina).—Of the same form and habit of the white willow and possessing the same faults, but its golden bark in winter often forms a beautiful feature when planted among canoe-birches, red-twigged willows, or red dogwoods.

RED-TWTGGED WILLOW (S. a. vitellina, var. Britzensis). —This is a comparatively new variety with red twigs which while young are nearly as red as those of the red dogwood. It has not been widely tested, however.

BASSWOOD OR AMERICAN LINDEN (Tilia Americana). —A native tree of some value for ornamental purposes. It has large, dark green foliage and very fragrant white flowers suspended on long-winged peduncles in July. It makes a large tree in good soil, but becomes rather irregular as it reaches full growth.

EUROPEAN LINDEN (T. Europea).—A native of middle and northern Europe, of more regular form and smaller foliage than the last, and but for the injury caused by borers and a leaf-blight it would be one of the most valuable pyramidal trees. When not injured by the above pests, it grows very rapidly and reaches large size. (See chapter on Insects and Diseases.)

WHITE-LEAVED EUROPEAN LINDEN (T. Europea, var. argentea).—A vigorous tree with a more rounded head than the last and with leaves dark green above and silvery white beneath.    Subject to the same pests as the last.

AMERICAN MOUNTAIN ASH (Pyrus Americana).—One of the most beautiful native small trees often found growing on our mountains. Its large cymose panicles of white flowers are very beautiful, and there is scarcely anything more beautiful than the large clusters of dark red fruit in the autumn and early winter. It is so seriously injured by the apple-borer, however, that it is only by the most constant attention that it can be grown so as to reach large size.

EUROPEAN MOUNTAIN ASH (P. aucuparia).—Very similar to the last in habit of growth and foliage, but with larger and lighter colored berries. It requires the same treatment to prevent injury from insects as the last species.

OAK-LEAVED MOUNTAIN ASH (P. a., var. quercifolia), Fig. 81.—A very interesting form of the last species, of a more compact habit, however, and having leaves somewhat like those of the English oak. Attention must be given this tree to prevent injury from borers.

FIG.81.—OAK-LEAVED MOUNTAIN ASH (Pyrus aucuparia quercifolia).

HOP-TREE (Ptelia trifoliata).—This small round-headed tree possesses peculiar beauty of form and dark, rich color of foliage, but its most striking feature is the masses of circular-winged fruit that somewhat resemble large clusters of the fruit of the common hop-vine.

OAKS.—These trees are, many of them, emblems of grandeur and strength, yet some of the species and varieties possess graceful and pleasing outlines and beautiful colors of foliage. In size many of them are not suited to small places, and yet a single large oak with a cottage and accompanying outbuildings nestling under its branches affords a most beautiful picture of comfort and protection of which the home is our best emblem. Perhaps the most objectionable feature of these trees as a lawn ornament is the persistency with which the foliage adheres in the winter. In the grove mingled with evergreen and other deciduous trees this feature may have rather a pleasing effect, but in a conspicuous place on a lawn its persistent brown leaves are not a pleasing object for continued view during the winter. The oaks require a strong soil to reach their greatest perfection, but they do well under a great variety of conditions. They are difficult to transplant and need the special preparation recommended for the oak, black walnut, etc., on pages 140 and 141.

FIG. 82—White Oak (Quercus alba),

WHITE OAK (Quercus alba), Fig. 82.—The grandest of all the oaks and one of the most common. It is rather slow in growth and wherever large trees are found, whether by the roadside or in the field, they should be preserved and the most be made of their picturesque grandeur.

RED OAK (Q. rubra).—See Street- or Avenue-trees.

SWAMP WHITE OAK (Q. bicolor).—Somewhat similar in appearance to the last, but rather more upright in growth and with a heavier foliage. It succeeds best in a moist soil.

PIN- OH SWAMP-OAK (Q. palustris), Fig. 83.—This beautiful oak is only of medium size and takes the most regular pyramidal form; the leaves are deeply lobed, dark green in color, changing to a beautiful scarlet-crimson in autumn. Its acorns are small, set in a very shallow cup, and the branches stand out nearly at right angles with the trunk or with age assume a drooping form. It is a tree that should be more planted than it is.

SCARLET OAK (Q. tinetoria, var. coccinea).—This tree resembles the red oak (see Avenue-tree;) somewhat in outline, but with a much more deeply lobed leaf and an acorn of medium size nearly half immersed in the cup. It is an upland oak and takes on a beautiful scarlet color in autumn.

FIG. 83.—Pin-Oak (Quercvs palustris).

ENGLISH OAK (Q. robur).—This oak is medium to large in size, with rather small leaves like our native white oak, but more graceful and compact in outline. It takes a greater variety of forms than any other species, varying from the most close and upright pyramidal form to the low-spreading or weeping tree, and in foliage from the darkest green through the lighter shades of green to golden yellow and to the rich purple shades of the copper beech. In form of the leaves it varies from those with broad, almost unbroken outline to the deeply cut, almost fern-like leaves. These peculiar and marked forms, however, must be propagated by budding or grafting and are often of slow growth and expensive.    Among the best forms are:

Fern-leaved oak (Q. r., var. asplenifolia). Variegated oak ((). r., variegata).                  Purple-leaved oak   Q. r., var. atropurpurea). Pyramidal oak (Q. r., var. fastigiata).

CHESTNUT OAK (Q. Prinus).—-The leaves of this species are very much like those of the common chestnut, but not so narrow or so pointed. It succeeds best in rather strong rocky soil.

ELMS.—Under the heading of " Street-trees " the white and slippery elm were described. Both of these species are equally adapted to the lawn, where high-spreading forms are desired, but they are gross feeders and it will be found somewhat difficult to make other trees, shrubs, or plants grow near them. An abundance of plant-food, however, applied each fall will help to make both the elms and whatever may be planted among their roots grow satisfactorily.

ENGLISH ELM (Ulnus campestris).—Although of a sturdy, vigorous, upright growth, it does not reach the beauty and grandeur of our American elm. As with the English oak, this species takes many interesting forms, some of which are very beautiful.

SCOTCH ELM (U. C, var. Montana).—Much like the last, bat with a rather more upright and heavy growth.

All of the elms are subject to the attack of the elm-scale (Gossyparia), canker-worm, and the elm-beetle, which see on pages 270-274.

EUROPEAN LARCH {Larix Europea).—This is one of the most beautiful and rapid growing trees, and except when injured by the pine saw-fly, an insect the larvǽ of which destroy the foliage in the summer, and an aphis or plant-louse that sometimes checks its growth, is a most desirable tree. The foliage is very fine and feather-like, and in the spring of the most delicate green color, which gives very beautiful effects in contrast with other foliage or by itself. It is easily transplanted and succeeds upon the poorest of soil. The lateral branches should be encouraged to make a full growth by heading in the top while young, yet at the same time its regular pyramidal habit of growth should be preserved.

Weeping Trees.

Few more beautiful objects can be seen than some of the many weeping trees that are now being offered by nearly all of our nurserymen. They possess beauty of form, grace in outline, and often produce beautiful flowers. They are especially adapted to planting upon the lawn. Most of the trees of this type are grafted upon other stocks, which in many cases results in a smaller or slower growth and adds very much to their cost.

List Of Weeping Trees.

Maple, Cut-leaved Weeping.                Mulberry, Weeping.
Birch, Cut-leaved Weeping.                  Willow, Babylon Weeping.
Cherry, Weeping Japanese.                  "        Kilmarnock Weeping.
Dogwojd, Weeping.                             "       Tliurlow's Weeping.
Beech, Weeping.                                  "        Purple or Am. Weeping.
Asli, Weeping.                                      Elm, Camperdown.
Poplar, Weeping.

CUT-LEAVED WEEPING MAPLE (Acer dasycarpum, var. laciniatum), Fig. 84.—A very graceful weeping tree with deeply cut leaves, dark green above and silvery white beneath. When allowed to grow without care, it often forms forked branches that are liable to split down with heavy weight of snow and ice. To avoid this, only one leader or main branch should be allowed to grow at firsts and all laterals tending to outgrow the leader should be headed in to keep a good balance of the tree. Some very fine trees are grown from seed of the cut-leaved varieties, but the best forms must be obtained by grafting upon the common silver-maple stock.

FIG. 84—Weir’s Cut-Leaved Maple (Acer dasycarpum laciniata pendula),

OUT-LEAVED WEEPING BIRCH (Betula alba, var. laciniata pendula), Fig. 85.—On account of its rapid growth, the ease with which it is transplanted, and its great beauty, both in winter and summer, this is one of the most satisfactory of the weeping trees. It is especially effective with a background of evergreens or in winter in contrast with red- or yellow-twigged willows.    It grows well in poor soil and is easily transplanted while young, but not so readily when it reaches two or three inches in diameter. This variety is commonly grafted or budded on the common form of B. alia.

FIG. 85—Cut-Leaved Weeping Birchi (Betula alba, laciniiata pendula),

YOUNG'S WEEPING BIRCH (B. a., Youngii).—Smaller and less upright than the last, but with a more drooping head and much smaller leaves. It forms a beautiful object on the lawn.

WEEPING CHERRIES AND PLUMS.—Nothing can be more beautiful than some of the double- and single-flowered weeping cherries and plums, but, like those of the same genus already described, they are short-lived, liable to injury from insects and fungous pests, and the cherries especially to injury to the trunk by freezing. One of the most beautiful is the

JAPANESE WEEPING CHEERY (Primus Japonica, pen-dula).—While young this is one of the most beautiful objects ever introduced. It is, however, grafted upon an upright stock, and we have thus far found nothing as a stock that will withstand the climate of middle and northern New England, where the trunk is split open by the action of frosts. Further south it may not be injured in this way by severe winters.

WEEPING DOGWOOD {Cornus Florida, var. pendula).— This small tree is not more beautiful than the upright form of the species already described, but it is unique and attractive when well grown.

WEEPING BEECH (Fagus sylvatica, var. pendula), Fig. 86.—Although not regular in outline, this tree has a picturesque beauty peculiar to itself. It is vigorous in growth and desirable.    Succeeds only on heavy soils.

WEEPING ASH {Fraxinus excelsa, var. pendula).—A rather stiff, drooping tree, with beautiful foliage, and although not equal in graceful beauty to many of the weeping trees it is useful in some combinations.

WEEPING  POPLAR  (Populus grandidentata, var. pendula).—A most beautiful tree, producing its blossoms in long pendant catkins before any other trees are in bloom, and it makes a very beautiful object on the lawn. Its form is good, foliage rich green, free from disease, and grafted upon the Carolina poplar or cottonwood stock it bids fair to be a tree that will last longer than some of the upright kinds. Its clean gray bark also makes it ornamental in the winter.*

FIG 86—Weeping Beech (F. syl., pendula).

*Since the above was written specimens of this tree have been seen badly injured by cold.

WEEPING MULBERRY (Morus alba, var. laciniata pendula), Fig. 87.—One of the most graceful and beautiful fountain-shaped trees. Its branches are slender and fall away from the upright stock upon which it is grafted in a very graceful fountain-like manner, and its deeply cut and lobed bright green leaves add much to its lightness and beauty. It has thus far proved hardy and free from disease or insect pest.

FIG. 87—Teas' Weeping Mulberry (Morus alba, Siberiea).

BABYLON WEEPING WILLOW {Salix Babylonica).—The largest and most rapid growing of the very graceful weeping trees; it is a very beautiful tree, but has some of the faults of other species of willows, and its branches are easily broken off by -wind and storm.    It is especially adapted to locations near water and grows most rapidly in a moist soil.

KILMARNOCK WEEPING WILLOW (S. Caprǽa, var. pen-dula).—This fountain willow grows well for a time in a great variety of soils, but is short-lived. Its form is very regular and unbroken, and is little more ornamental than a hay-stack.

FIG. 88—Camperdown Elm (Ulmus Campestris, var. pendula).

HURLOW’S WEEPING WILLOW (S. sp. Thurlowii).—As far as tested this new tree promises to be the most satisfactory and beautiful of the willows. In form it is upright with the branches bending toward the ground. Its branches are bright green, which will form a pleasing contrast with the yellow and red shoots of the other willows and the clean white branches of the birches.

PURPLE  WEEPING "WILLOW (8. purpurea, var. pendula). —The glaucous foliage of tliis native willow, together with the purple-colored shoots, gives a shade of color that is very desirable in ornamental grouping.

CAMPERDOWN ELM (Ulmus Montana, pendula), Fig. 88. —For an arbor-tree, one that will give a close shade and last a long time and is decidedly graceful in outline, this tree stands at the head of the list. To get the best results, it should be grafted at least six feet from the ground on the upright Montana stock; otherwise the branches will be too low to sit under conveniently, and when reaching near the ground many of the lower branches will soon decay.

Trees with Deeply Cut Foliage.
Maple, Wier's Cut-leaved.                       Maple, Variegated-leaved, Jap.
Bircb, Cut-leaved Weeping.                     Beech, Fern-leaved, Jap.
Maple, Purple, Cut-leaved, Jap.               Ash, Cut-leaved        "
"       Green Fern-leaved     "                    Oak, Cut-leaved        "

Of the above Wier's (Jut-leaved Maple and Weeping Cut-leaved Birch have already been described under " Weeping Trees," Figs. 84 and 85, and are among the very best of this group.

JAPANESE MAPLES (Acer polymorphum, var.).—Few trees have such a variety of foliage or forms of growth as this species. Some of the most beautiful of the forms have already been mentioned, but no description given. Among the best are the following:

JAPANESE PURPLE CUT-LEAVED MAPLE (A.p.,dissectum purpureum).—A beautiful weeping, cut-leaved, small tree, very slow in growth, but the leaves are so deeply cut and fern-like, and with deep purple color, that one is well repaid for  considerable   petting and   long waiting if  he succeeds in making it grow to perfection. It must be planted in a deep, moderately rich soil, and should have an annual dressing of rich manure for 3 or 4 feet around the trunk in the fall.

JAPANESE GREEN FERN-LEAVED MAPLE (A. p., var. pinnatifidum).—A variety that is rather more vigorous than the last, but with green fern-like foliage and graceful drooping habit.
VARIEGATED FERN-LEAVED MAPLE (A. p., dissectum roseo-pictum).—Equal to the last in vigor and perfection of foliage, but many of the leaves are beautifully bordered and marked with white, pink, and rose-color, especially those on the inside of the shrub.

FERN-LEAVED BEECH {Fagus sylvaticus, var. hetero-phylla).—In a heavy soil where other varieties of the oeech succeed this tree will thrive and is very beautiful and desirable.

CUT-LEAVED ASH (Fraxinus excelsior, var. cuculata).— The leaves of this variety are irregularly cut and divided and the tree presents a very pleasing appearance. Eequires a heavy soil.

CUT-LEAVED OAK (Quercus robur, var. laciniata).-—For a slow-growing tree this is one of the most permanent and in strong soil succeeds with good ordinary care. Like all the other oaks, it is difficult to transplant.

Trees with. Colored Foliage.
Maple, Reitenbacb.                              Beecli, Copper.
"       Schwerdler's.                               "       Rivers' Purple.
"       Japanese.                                     Poplar, Golden.
"       Purple Sycamore.                         Plum, Purple-leaved.
"       Tricolored Sycamore.                   Oak, Purple-leaved.
Birch. Purple-leaved.

REITENBACH MAPLE (Acer platanoides, var. Reiten-bachii) and SCHWERDLER'S MAPLE (A. p., var. Schwerd-lerii) have already been described under Lawn-trees.

JAPAN PURPLE-LEAVED MAPLE (A. polymorphum, var.atropurpureum and sanguineum), Fig. 75.—These two varieties are very much alike, but the first has somewhat darker foliage with a deeper-lobed and rather narrower leaf than the last. They grow nearly as large as the common form of this species, i.e., 10 to 15 ft., and the foliage is the most beautifully colored of all of the purple-leaved trees. They require a deep warm soil, and perhaps a little shelter from too much exposure, and are more hardy when grown in the lawn than when grown in a rich border.

PURPLESYCAMORE MAPLE (A. pseudoplatanus, var. atropurpurea).—A heavy, broad-headed tree, with dark bronze-green foliage, but not of the decided color possessed by Schwerdler's or the Japanese species.

TRICOLORED SYCAMORE MAPLE (A. p., var. tricolor).— Of the same form as the last, but with leaves beautifully marked with white, green, and purple. Very interesting, but not a conspicuous tree.

PURPLE-LEAVED BIRCH (Betula alba, var. atropurpurea). —A tree of good form and with conspicuous colored foliage in spring, soon changing to a bronze green. The contrast of this dark foliage with the white bark of the branches makes it a very desirable tree. It succeeds upon very thin soil.

PURPLE-LEAVED CATALPA (Catalpa bignonioides, var. purpurea).—Were this tree perfectly hardy in the northern sections of the country it would be one of the most desirable trees for the lawn. It, however, is not quite hardy while young, and, as with the C. speciosa, it must be kept in the shelter of the nursery until it is 3 or 4 inches in diameter at the base, when, if it has been transplanted in the nursery several times, it may be safely moved to the lawn, where it will succeed better than in a rich border. The foliage is large, dark bronze purple, growing somewhat lighter with the advance of the season.

COPPER-LEAVED BEECH (Fagus sylvatica, var. pur-purea).—No tree is more conspicuous on the lawn or in groups than the purple or copper beech, and large numbers of them are planted each year; yet we see very few specimens more than a few years' old. The reason for this undoubtedly is that they do not succeed in all soils and in fall exposure and that they are sometimes attacked by borers which work in the trunk near the ground. The varieties will grow only under the conditions of the common types, requiring a deep moist soil, some shade or shelter while young, and a cool northerly exposure.

RIVERS' PURPLE BEECH (F. s.,var. purpurea Riversii), Fig. 89.—This variety has more deeply cat and darker leaves than the last, and may be preferred by many, though both are extremely beautiful, and change about equally to the bronze-green color as they mature.

GOLDEN POPLAR (Populus Canadensis, var. aurea).— This is the most rapid growing of the golden-leaved trees, and is of value planted in contrast with purple- and dark-leaved varieties of trees. Like some of the other species of poplars, it is short-lived and the leaves are often seriously injured by rust in August, which causes defoliation before the buds are matured. The treatment required to destroy this rust is the same as for that described for the black poplar.

PURPLE-LEAVED PLUM (Primus pissardi).—Were it not for the short life of this tree it would be one of the greatest acquisitions of the last decade. It is rapid in growth, easily transplanted, of good form, and retains its dark purple color longer than any other tree. As yet it has shown little tendency to disease or the attack of insects, and it is hoped that it may be free from some of the faults that render so many of the same genus of little value for ornamental purposes.

FIG. 89—Rivers’ Purple Beech (Fagus syl., purpurea)

PURPLE-LEAVED OAK (Quercus robur, var. atropur-purea).—The characteristic of strength typified by the oaks makes any of the species of interest, and if in addition to thischaracter they possess strikingly beautiful features they become all the more valuable. This tree has dark purple or bronze-green foliage all summer, is moderately vigorous in growth, and very desirable.

GOLDEN-LEAVED OAK (Q. r., var. concordia).—This is perhaps the best of the golden-leaved oaks, and is very beautiful when the leaves first unfold, but it loses something of its freshness and beauty as the season advances. Its chief value consists in the use that may be made of it in toning down the extreme shades and tints of other trees.

GOLDEN-LEAVED JAPANESE MAPLE {A. Jap.,aurea).— A most beautiful tree for planting with the purple-leaved forms of A. polymorphum.

GOLDEN ELM (Ulmus campestris, var. aurea), Fig. 89'. —This beautiful tree is of slow growth, but planted in moderately rich laud succeeds well and is worth repeated trials to secure the establishment of even a single specimen.

CHINESE CATALPA {Catalpa Bungei), Fig. 89'.—A most interesting round or umbrella-formed tree with large, bright green foliage. In slight shelter and in a deep, warm, sandy loam it proves hardy and valuable.

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