222 Trees for Shade and Ornament 



most graceful, feathery foliage and spiry top. Although of southern 

 origin, it is hardy as far as New England, and although a tree of the 

 swamp, it is adaptive to many soil conditions, but thrives best in moist, 

 sandy soil, although it will do well in drier situations, var}-ing in form 

 according to soil. 



Sequoia. The two giant tree species of this genus, differing widely 

 from each other, but both exceedingly beautiful and ornamental, have 

 in the United States hardly yet been appreciated for their ornamental 

 value: they are less planted here than in Europe, and less than they 



,^M^^ 





Fig. 65. — Abies Nordmanniana Spach. 



deserve. Their climatic limits, to be sure, make success doubtful in 

 the East, except in certain positions where in the soil compensation can 

 be made for the drouthy climate, and also provided that the plant mate- 

 rial is collected from the driest sites. 



5. sempervirens Endl. (20), Redwood, the most beautiful of the two, 

 is less hardy than the Big Tree, and requires a cool, humid atmosphere, 

 for which even a deep, well-watered soil does not readily compensate. 



5. gigantea Decne. (21), the Big Tree, is hardier than the Red- 

 wood and has sustained itself in Rochester, N. Y., for forty years, although 

 now showing signs of suffering. With a foliage between the Cypress 

 and the Arbon,'it3e, and a gracefully curved branch habit, it forms a 

 beautiful lawn tree. It is not selective as to soil, except that the deep 



