2G8 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTUHAL SOCIETY. 



48. C. Lawsoniana (Lawsoii's Cypress). — No tree is more hardy 

 than this cy])ress — none more easily managed or more I'eadily 

 suited with soil ; while few others combine in a higher degree the 

 useful with the ornamental. It has been planted largely in almost 

 every British county, and in soils and situations widely different ; 

 yet it is rare to see an ill-grown, stunted, or browned specimen, 

 even when they are growing under very unfavourable conditions. 

 I have tried it in reclaimed peat bog ; in gravelly soil ; even 

 amongst the debris of a disused gravel pit ; in plastic loam almost 

 bordering on clay ; free sandy loam and alluvial deposit ; and in 

 all these it has proved itself to be at home, as the beautiful 

 wee[)ing spray of the most vivid green and the rapidity of growth 

 bore clear testimony. When grown under suitable conditions 

 the tree soon assumes that lively bluish-green tint which pertains 

 to a healthy specimen. This pleasing tint of foliage is not equalled 

 by that of any other tree that I know. As an ornamental tree 

 it is, perhaps, supei-fluous to say one word in favour of this 

 cypress, its qualities in this particular being well known and 

 appreciated. I may, however, refer to its cheerful and desirable 

 shade of green, and to the gracefully recurved and feather-like 

 foliage, neither of which is surpassed by any other conifer. It is 

 of columnar habit, but not formal in outline, as it is i*elieved by 

 the drooping spray and elastic leading shoot, the latter being 

 sufficiently tilted to one side to impart a pleasing finish to the 

 tree. The timber is of no great value, but from the appearance of 

 specimens cut from home-grown trees it would seem to be of good 

 quality, and well worthy of a trial in household carpentry at least. 

 It is of a pleasing light-yellow colour, remarkably close-grained, 

 and takes on a good polish. The rate of growth is somewhat 

 rapid, sevei'al specimens of which I have a record having attained 

 the height of 43 feet in twenty-seven years. Amongst the 

 varieties there are several distinct and desirable kinds ; and these, 

 in the majority of cases, retain their distinctive characteristics 

 under cultivation, such as the following vai'ieties. 



49. C. Laiosoniana alba spica has the branch ti^is of a creamy 

 white colour, and — in contradistinction to C Laiosoniana alba- 

 variftgata, which has green foliage blotched with white — is of tall 

 spreading nature, and soon attains to goodly proportions. C. 

 Lawsoniana argentea is a distinct and pretty form, with silvery 

 foliage. C. Laiosoniana erecta viridis is one of the best and most 

 useful, and where a fastigiate-habited tree is wanted, and one of 



