116 



and at some distance from it, turns suddenly upwards, and takes forthwith the 

 full appearance and character of a separate tree. 



On the south-east side of the house the pleasure-ground dips down suddenly 

 in terraces to a charming dingle, fully open to sunshine, protected more or less 

 from every unkind wind, and yet cool from the ornamental water below. In this 

 sheltered spot is situated a very handsome and remarkable tree. It is the 

 "Occidental Plane," very well grown, lofty and evenly balanced, dropping 

 down its branches on all sides with peculiar beauty. It is of a very unusual size 

 for this country ; indeed, one of the three or four finest in the kingdom. At 

 5 feet from the ground it has a girth of 11 feet 6 in., a spread of branches 85 ft. 

 in diameter, and a height of nearly 80 feet. The largest Occiilental Plane in 

 Englanl is believed to be the one at Ribstone Castle, in Yorkshire, which 

 has a girth of 14 ft., and a diametric foliage measure of 90 ft. This tree, 

 however, is full grown and verging on decay, whilst the Harewood plane is still 

 growing in full luxuriance, and bids fdir soon to outstrip its northern rival.* 



The finest Cedar of Lebanon grows at the south end of the house. It is 

 seen on the right in the picture of the " Home Oak." It is a well grown tree, 

 and measures 12 ft. 6 in. in girth. By far the most picturesque cedar, however, 

 is the "Table Cedar," at the further end of the dingle. It is so called from its 

 broad flat leaderless head, as you look down upon it from the terrace by the 

 house. At all times this tree forms a beautiful object, and it is peculiarly so, 

 when seen in the varying mists of early morning, when covered in autumn by 

 its own clustering cones, or most beautiful of all, perhaps, when sprinkled with 

 rime-frost or half laden with snow. 



One other tree must be noticed here, and it owes the notice to its 

 situation so much below the eye of the observer. It is a "Silver Fir" near 

 the "Table Cedar," a fine tree and well grown, whose lower boughs sweep the 

 ground, and the others follow suit in tapering succession as they curve grace- 

 fully from the stem. The "Table Cedar " measures 10ft. 9in. and the "Silver 

 Fir " Oft. Sin. in girth. 



But here, tape in hand, all botanical enthusiasm is suddenly arrested by an 



object of interest, higher and holier in its associations than beauty of landscape 

 or growth of tree. It is the gem of Harewood — the beautiful restored chapel cf 

 the Knights Templars. At the request of your Commissioner the following 

 description has been very kindly given by our President, Mr. Chandos Wren 

 Hoskyns, to whom belongs the entire credit of the restoration : — 



* Note.— At Lee Court, near Blackheath, is an Oriental Plane tree which is figured 

 by Strutt in his " Sylva Britannica," and there stated to measure 14 ft. 8 in. in girth at 

 e feet from the ground. 



