SUGGESTION FOR A NATIONAL ARBORETUM 

 By W. W. Ashe 



The Southern Appalachian region offers the best natural possibility 

 for the selection of a site for a National Arboretum. The great num- 

 ber of native species,' the variety of forest types and the great range 

 in elevation which occurs within a relatively small area, are conditions 

 which combine to make this a favored section for such a choice. 

 There is at present, within this region, no adequate Arboretum or 

 Botanical Garden in which both native species and the forms from 

 other regions which will thrive in the Appalachians can be assembled 

 under more or less normal environment for comparison and study as 

 living plants. The establishment of an Appalachian Experiment Sta- 

 tion suggests the possibility of an Arboretum as an adjunct to it. It 

 would be one phase of the work of an Experiment Station A'hich could 

 be popularized, although the ends which are sought might require 

 highly scientific methods. The plantings could be so placed as to 

 form harmonious parts of the natural forest, adding to it variety and 

 charm, rather than in the monotony of formal arrangement. Such an 

 Arboretum could be developed along roads with a view to securing 

 accessibility, and should follow a scenic route to some point of para- 

 mount interest to obtain what the landscape architects call "circulation." 



The ideal location in the entire eastern forest region would be on 

 the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge at the head of the Catawba 

 River, crossing the Black Mountains at Mitchell's Peak and descending 

 to the headwaters of Cane River. This would touch the Asheville 

 resort district with its half million annual visitors. The altitudinal 

 range here exceeds 5,000 feet, and lies within three life zones. A road 

 could be so located without devious route as to traverse not less than 

 fourteen forest types, beginning in the Carolinian zone below Old Fort 

 in the gums and ashes of the alluvials. passing through the Castania 



^ Among the genera richest in woody species may be mentioned Quercus with 17 

 and one variety ; Hicoria with 8 species and two varieties ; Bctida, 4 species and 

 one variety; Pinus, 5 species; Popiilus, ?>. Magnolia, 4; Prunus, S; Rhus,S species 

 and one variety; Malus, 6 species and two varieties; Amclanchicr, 6 species; 

 Crataegus, 51 species and varieties; Acer, 8 species and two varieties; Frax'.'.nis, 

 6 species. Tilia, 4 species; Salix, .5 species; and Uliiius, 3 species. ' 



562 



