6 4 



Commercial Gardening 



and distinct Taxad from Japan, where it attains a height of 100-150 ft. 



The branches and the " leaves " 

 upon them radiate like the ribs 

 of an umbrella (fig. 453). 



Sequoia ( Wellington, ) 

 gigantea. The Mammoth Tree 

 of California. This tree grows 

 up to 350 or 400 ft. high, with 

 trunk 20-40 ft. in diameter in a 

 wild state, and is said to attain 

 an age of 2000 to 3000 years. It 

 rarely grows taller than 50 ft. 

 in the British Islands. S. sem- 

 pervirens (Taxodium), the Cali- 

 fornian Redwood, grows as well 

 but not quite so tall in good 

 soil. 



Taxodium distichum (DE- 

 CIDUOUS or BALD CYPRESS). A 

 handsome deciduous tree, 80- 

 150 ft. in the United States. 

 It flourishes in water, or in 

 marshy and swampy places. 

 There are several varieties, one 

 of the best being pendulum, 

 with slender drooping branches 



and small closely adpressed leaves. Other species are heterophyllum and 

 mucronatum, the latter a rather tender Mexican tree. 



Taxus baccata (EW). The deep and sombre-green Yew is largely 

 grown as a hedge plant, and is sold in thousands annually. There are 

 many varieties, of which the Irish Yew (fastigiata or hibernica) is the 

 best known on account of its pyramidal habit. There is a golden-leaved 

 variety (aurea), and a silver variegated form (argentea) of it. There are 

 also golden and variegated forms of the Common Yew; and an upright 

 one, called Dovastoni, with weeping and variegated sub-varieties. There 

 is also a golden-fruited form (fructu lutea). Special varieties are grafted 

 on stocks of the Common Yew. 



Other kinds of Yew are canadensis, the American Ground Hemlock, 

 a straggling shrub with a variegated and golden form; and cuspidata, 

 from Japan, with spiny-tipped leaves, yellowish beneath. 



Thuja (ARBOR VIT.E). Two species, T. gigantea (T. Lobbi) and 

 T. occidentalis, the American Arbor Vitae, and their varieties, are chiefly 

 grown. T. gigantea is a fine pyramidal tree, quick in growth and excel- 

 lent for making hedges. There are several varieties, such as atrovirens, 

 aurea } lutea, gracilis, &c. T. occidentalis grows naturally in cold wet 

 swamps and on rocky banks. There are many forms, including compacta, 



Fig. itt.Sciadopitys verticillata 



