THE CYPRESS SUB-FAMILY. 319 



pally among the mountains. It is rarely found further 

 south than Central New York and Pennsylvania. In Can- 

 ada and along the lakes it is known as the White Cedar, 

 thus confounding this species with the well-known tree of 

 that name, so common in New Jersey and elsewhere 

 Cupressus thyoides. 



The American Arbor Vitee generally grows to the height 

 of from 25 to 50 feet, and forms a handsome, conical tree, 

 with the lower branches resting on the ground. This 

 peculiar and uniform appearance in its outline renders it 

 very conspicuous in a collection, although Downing con- 

 sidered it too formal for extensive use in ornamental land- 

 scapes. It is, however, one of the most hardy and desir- 

 able species for small places, owing to the ease with which 

 it is cultivated, and to its exceedingly rapid growth. 



An objectionable feature is its proneness to form several 

 leaders, which, during heavy storms of wind or snow, are 

 pressed outward, and thereby the symmetry of the tree is 

 often destroyed. To obviate this difficulty, many culti- 

 vators trim in all the side branches, thus allowing the main 

 or true leader to become strengthened, and to induce also 

 the branchlets to become more numerous. This treatment 

 is likewise very judicious with the Junipers, especially 

 with the ascending kinds, such as J. communis and its 

 varieties, u The only fault of this tree as an evergreen," 

 says Downing, " is the comparatively dingy green hue of 

 its foliage in winter. But to compensate for this, it is re- 

 markably fresh looking in its spring, summer, and autumn 

 tints, comparing well at those seasons even with the bright 

 verdure of deciduous trees." This fault is also a prominent, 

 and to many a disagreeable feature in the whole genus, 

 and is not confined alone to our native species, but 

 is noticeable even more plainly in the Eastern Arbor Vitse. 

 Upon the approach of spring, however, a few warm days 

 change this " dingy hue " into a charming, fresh, green 

 color. 



