278 



Trees for Shade and Ornament 



period. Our species in its youth is of erect symmetrical habit, but in 

 time becomes spreading and inclined to low branching, forming a very 

 broad, roundish crown with short, pendulous body; it is picturesque 

 rather than pleasing in its outline, with a clean, glossy, rather coarse 

 foliage. The white, feathery, semi-pendent catkins, in June, lend addi- 

 tional attraction and even grace to the flowering tree. It is a very 

 rapid grower, and adaptive to a variety of soils except wet and compact 

 ones, but needs deep soil for its heart roots. Like all nut trees, it is 

 not easily transplanted in older specimens. It is comparatively free 

 from insects and other troubles, but unclean, the fall of the long flower 

 catkins, of the fruit and its burs, and of the coarse foliage making con- 

 tinuous litter. An excellent sprouter, it repairs damage easily, and is 

 moderately shade-enduring. It is best used in specimens on large 

 grounds, where it may rival the oak in picturesqueness, or else in 

 groves. Lately, a most destructive fungus disease has developed in 

 this species, which is making havoc in planted as well as in natural 

 growths. 



C. pumila Mill. (180), the associated Chinquapin, of more southern 

 distribution (from New Jersey south), is a small tree, or more often a 

 low shrub, and has a more attractive foliage when in shrub form, namely, 

 a narrower and silvery white leaf, a desirable ornament. 



Castanopsis. C. chrysophylla D. C. (181), the Pacific Coast Chinqua- 

 pin, with a foliage glossy green above and golden-yellow on the under 

 side, is hardy only in the South. 



Catalpa. C. cordifolia]siume\ (speciosa). The well-known Catalpa 

 or Bean Tree, is one of eight species, native, and from Asia, four of which 

 are hardy. It is a small to medium-sized tree of southern and western 

 distribution, but half hardy as far north as Ottawa, and perfectly so in 

 New York. It is mainly of interest because of its large, tropical-looking 

 and rather tuigainly foliage, which is among the latest to appear and the 

 earliest to fall, and for its large, upright panicles of striking, white, pur- 

 ple-tinged flowers, appearing late (June, July), and for its odd fruit pods 

 (beans), which hang on through much of the winter. It has not much 

 claim for beauty, with its ungainly, sprawling limbs and unsymmetrical 

 outline. The successive fall of its flowers, leaves, and fruit makes it 

 uncleanly, although it is free from insects and only occasionally attacked 

 by a leaf spot fungus. It is easily transplanted and a very rapid grower 

 on good soil, and is satisfied with most soils unless excessively dry. Its 



