108 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



important duties. Familiarity with trees and a sympa- 

 thetic understanding of their manners and moods is the 

 best basis on which to make this choice ; but tlie follow- 

 ing notes, which make no claim to completeness, may 

 be of some service to those who have not made trees a 

 special study. 



Asii. — There are three or four native species of ash 

 which may usually be collected from the woods or 

 bought from the nurseries. All are good. They are 

 excellent for large masses, and will bear comparatively 

 thick planting. 



Beech. — The common American beech is a fine 

 tree where it will succeed. It is not practicable to mass 

 it except in waste places, on hillsides, and the like. An 

 occasional single tree in rich soil makes a specimen to 

 be proud of. The Purple-leaved beech is a good tree of 

 its color; but one or two will be enough for a very large 

 place. 



Birch. — Pyramidal and weeping birches have found 

 many buyers during recent years. However, they par- 

 take more of the nature of curiosities than of indigenous 

 trees, and are not to be recommended. Nearly all the 

 native forms and species are good in their place, how- 

 ever, in garden planting, thougii any of them must be 

 sparingly used. The White birch. Canoe birch and 

 Yellow birch deserve special mention. 



Butternut. — See Walnut. 



Catalpa. — Catalpa speciosa is the species most 

 planted. It makes a small or moderate sized tree, with 

 large foliage, which is quite ornamental ; and the species 

 is further desirable for its fine display of flowers. Catalpa 

 hignonioides and Tea's Japan Hybrid are good sorts less 

 frequently planted. 



Cedar. — The Red cedar, Juniperus Virginiana, is 

 a fine ornamental evergreen much used in the western 

 states, but scarcely known in some parts of the east. It 



