284 TRANSACTIONS OF KOYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAJ. SOCIETY. 



chosen sj)ot on the lawn of some maritime gai-den. It may be 

 described as a refined deciduous cypress, tlie foliage being finer, of 

 a bright pea-green, and the whole tree more graceful in appearance. 

 To recommend this tree for planting in any but the warmer parts 

 of England and Ireland would [)erhaps be out of place, but I must 

 say that, judging froui several specimens which have come under 

 my notice, and have never sufiered fiom the effects of frost, I am 

 convinced that the tree is not so tender as it is described. A 

 native of Mexico. 



104. Taxus brevifolia (Californian Yew). — This is rather an 

 ornamental yew, with short, yellowish-green foliage, and a spread- 

 ing habit of growth. A native of California, and introduced in 

 1854. 



105. T. canadensis (Canadian Yew), and its variegated form 

 T. canadensis variegata, are, but particularly the latter, highly 

 ornamental and desirable evergreen plants. During the growing 

 season the leaves of the variegated form are margined "with 

 yellowish white, which imparts to the whole plant a most distinct 

 and attractive appearance. T. canadensis is a native of Canada 

 ahd several of the North-eastern States. Introduced about the 

 year 1800. 



106. Thuia gigantea (Giant Arbor-Vitas). — As an ornamental 

 conifer, this holds a high place, its compact outline, easy appear- 

 ance, and beautiful vivid green foliage being all points of special 

 recommendation. To produce the best effect, however, we might 

 recommend the planting of this tree in irregular-shajied clumps, 

 of say five or seven trees in each, on the greensward, and not 

 in too close contiguity to such stiff-growing and sombre-foliaged 

 subjects as are some of the pines and other trees. 



As a British timber tree the giant arbor-vitfe is fast coming 

 to the front, and has already, at the hands of certain far-seeing 

 planters, received a fair amount of attention, but, in our opinion, 

 not one-half of what its merits deserve. The quality of the 

 timber produced in this country warrants us in speaking highly 

 of it, being yellow, fine-gi'ained, easily worked, remarkably durable, 

 and light in proportion to its bulk, and this refers to timber of 

 thirty years' growth, and consequently immature. In its native 

 country the wood is highly valued, and used extensively for 

 caV)inet-making and the construction of boats and ships. The 

 giant arbor-vitse is a tree of very rapid growth, it having, in 

 several instances we know of, reached a height of 56 feet in thirty 



