CHAPTER XXXII 



SHRUBS UNDER TREES 



IT is often a vexed question what to plant under 

 trees when the space is bare, and sometimes there 

 is an ugly view seen beneath the branches to shut 

 out. Evergreens are the sheet anchor, relieved with 

 a few deciduous shrubs grouped amongst them. 



Much depends upon the tree, whether a Beech 

 or an Oak, a Maple or a Chestnut, and so on, as 

 trees vary considerably in their method of rooting, 

 as well as in the shade they give during the summer 

 months. This affects the welfare of the plants under- 

 neath. Such trees as Oak, Ash, Plane, Birch, and 

 Horse Chestnut are inclined to root deeply when 

 they have grown to a fair size, and do not interfere 

 directly with anything underneath them, although 

 the roots extract much moisture from the soil. 



On the other hand, Beech, Elm, Lime, and 

 Sycamore are more surface-rooting, and their roots 

 often get entangled with and gradually kill plants 

 growing near them. Beech and Elm are the greatest 

 offenders, and grass frequently perishes under these 

 trees. A few liberal soakings of water in dry weather 

 are beneficial to shrubs or anything else under trees, 

 but the soakings must be thorough, as mere sprinkles 



are more harmful than otherwise. The spread of 



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