TREE PLANTING ON STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. 185 



crimson interspersed witli \-ellow. Where a variety of species may be deemed 

 desirable, this tree should not be omitted, as it can be used in street planting for 

 several blocks with good effect. 



Of the various species of Ash, the White Ash is the one best adapted for orna- 

 ment and shade. It may be classed fairly among the large trees, the trunk attaining 

 considerable height before it subdivides, which, like the Elm, makes it desirable for 

 street purposes. Its foliage is pleasing in appearance, growing in irregular, waving 

 masses, but without any abrupt or broken oi'tlines. The Ash, however, is among 

 the last to put out its leaves in spring, and among the first to lose them in the fall. 

 In the latter season its foliage assumes a variety of colors, violet, brown, and dark 

 chocolate. Wilson Flagg notes that the Ash is the only tree that shows a clear 

 brown as one of its regular series of tints in the living leaf. Like most trees with 

 compound leaves it sheds its spray with the leaves in fall, leaving naked angular 

 branches that detract from the beauty of its habit in winter. Its freedom from 

 disease and insects commends it to all tree planters. 



In street planting the Oaks have hitherto been used but sparingly. The few that 

 appear here and there along country roads seem to owe their existence to accident 

 rather than design. This is probably due to their slower growth, a disadvantage 

 which is fully offset by their hardiness and longer life. The Oak is a noble tree, its 

 size and sturdy character entitling it to a prominent place in our streets and parks. 

 In growth it is no slower than some other species which have been freely planted. 

 The village of Flushing, L. I., is noted for the beautiful Oaks that shade some of its 

 streets. 



The Scarlet Oak is a desirable tree for many reasons, one of them being the crim- 

 son leaves which charm the eye long after the other trees are bare. Its foliage is 

 unusually persistent, and in some seasons the ruddy glow of its leaves may be seen 

 in brilliant contrast with the first snow. 



The Red Oak is the most rapid in growth of all the Oaks, attains a great size, 

 and exhibits the best proportions of any of the acorn-bearing species. It has less of 

 the gnarled and contorted habit so characteristic of the Oaks in general. 



The Pin Oak may be described as a middle-sized tree, available for roads and 

 streets of medium width. In thrives best on moist ground. In shapely habit and 

 general massing of foliage it will compare favorably with any of its genus, while 

 the smooth, deeply pinnatifid leaves, bright green on both sides, add greatly to i':j 

 beauty. The lowest branches of the Pin Oak are generally the longest, a peculiarity 

 that distinguishes it from most of the deciduous trees, and which emphasizes its 

 beautiful proportions, giving it a conical outline. Like all the Oaks its leaves are 



