54 SHADE TREES. 



its natural food, the fallen leaves, dead grass, etc., will have 

 been removed. Open earth at the base of every tree is recom- 

 mended because, apart from all questions of nourishment, 

 the bare circle acts as a guard against injury by lawn mowers, 

 etc. 



Fig. 26. Tree A stands in the gutter, Tree B in the curb line, Tree C 

 is partly on the sidewalk. No harm done. 



It is well to observe several points about the qualities and 

 behavior of trees. Those which give a dense shade are usu- 

 ally shade-enduring or tolerant ; they carry their own lower 

 branches for a long while but kill or stunt trees, shrubs or 

 Shade grasses that are intolerant or light-requiring. 



endurance. Q n ^g accoun t grass does not grow well under 

 a beech or spruce but may under oak or pine. Sugar maple 

 will do fairly well in the shade of elm, but elm is hampered 

 by sugar maple. Trees grow tall and slender when crowded, 

 much broader wiien they have plenty of room. 



All trees do best in good soil, but some, as most of the 

 pines, require it loose and well drained. Others like elm, 

 ash and pin oak favor moist locations. 



