Suburban Home Grounds. 95 



CHAPTER X. 



Trees are God's Architecture. — Anonymous. 



HAT kind of a tree shall I plant is often the first 

 (question asked by the improver of his home grounds. 

 If trees native to the locality are suggested, immedi- 

 ately the objection is raised that they are so com- 

 monplace. Some tree or plant that is a native of another 

 land and clime is demanded, ^vith the usual result of a partial 

 or complete failure. Every section of the country has its 

 trees and slirubbery that are indigenous to the soil, as well 

 as many that have been naturalized by careful grooving by 

 skilled nurserymen or o\vners of large estates who are lovers 

 of trees. For the ordinary man to experiment ^^^th untried 

 trees means, often failure or disappointment, as w^ll as un- 

 necessary expense. Emphasis can again be placed upon the 

 design rather than upon the inchvidua plants that go to make 

 the landscape picture. It needs only the trained eye to rec- 

 ognize effects and to appreciate the landscape value in the 

 native kinds of trees in making the picture. Nearly all regions 

 have trees in form that are round headed, spiry shaped, and 

 columnar, drooping and weeping, as well as other general forms 

 and shapes, that can be used to secure similar landscape effects — 

 such as the yew in England and the cedar in America. 



For permanent screens, wind breaks, and charming ^vinter 

 effects, the evergreen trees should be used. If summer shade 

 is desired, with an opening to the sun, and an airy effect in 

 winter, the deciduous or leaf shedding trees should be chosen. 

 The varying colors of the foliage as the season advances should 

 also be borne in mind. Specimen trees must be planted free 

 from encroaching trees and slirubberv to secure the full value 



