DECIDUOUS TREES. 399 



hardily in dry poor soils • for which, in fact, it is admirably adapted. 

 But it is only during the first five years after planting that care must 

 be taken to keep down its vigor. When deeply rooted the rate of 

 growth is slower, and as it becomes a spreading tree, its beauty is 

 greatly heightened by having a rich surface soil. 



The ailantus forms a low, square, broad head. There are no 

 full grown trees in this country, but we believe it will attain a height 

 and breadth of about sixty feet in the climate of Philadelphia, and 

 somewhat less north. 



There are many features of the ailantus that give it a rare and 

 peculiar beauty, admirably suited to add to the variety of colors and 

 forms in groups of trees. We have no tree that can take its place ; 

 none with such immense compound leaves, which alone give the tree 

 an unique character ; and they are thrust out boldly from the tree, 

 thus showing their character to the best advantage. Their color is 

 also of that thrifty yellowish-green, rare among our native trees, 

 and therefore more needed in contrast with them. The flowers, 

 in large terminal panicles, of a yellowish-green color, appear in 

 May and June, and cover the tree with a feathery flowering that is 

 very pleasing to the eye, however unpleasant in odor. In autumn 

 these blossoms are changed to great masses of yellow and orange- 

 brown seed-clusters that add greatly to beauty of the tree, and 

 heighten the individuality of its expression. The leaves when 

 touched by the cold occasionally turn a fine yellow, but drop 

 quickly. The bark of the young wood is of a golden hue, and 

 that of the trunk quite dark colored. 



THE LIQUIDAMBER OR SWEET GUM. Liquidatnber. 



This is a great favorite in English parks, was warmly com- 

 mended by Downing twenty years ago, and is widely distributed in 

 its wild state throughout our country ; yet to this day it is almost 

 unknown to a majority of suburban planters. The tree bears a 

 general resemblance in form and foliage to the sugar maple, and 

 grows to about the same size ; but when young has a more pointed 

 top and conical form ; the leaves, however, are more star-like, 



