SPECIES FOR STREET-PLANTING 37 



and fall prematurely. Their faded yellow is not like the 

 gold of the beech and hickory leaves. 



While the American linden possesses natural character- 

 istics desirable for a shade-tree, these are largely offset by 

 its numerous insect enemies. The tree also requires a deep 

 rich soil, is less tolerable of city conditions, and requires 

 greater care than other trees. 



European Linden {Tilia europcea Linn.). In beauty, 

 symmetry, and grace few trees surpass or equal the Euro- 

 pean linden. It grows perfectly straight, the trunk and 

 main limbs are subdivided into a great many twigs forming 

 a compact, oval head. When the tree is left to grow natu- 

 rally, the lower limbs are drooping, but when trimmed up 

 the branches acquire a graceful, upward turn. 



The leaves of the European linden are more regularly 

 heart-shaped and smaller than those of the American linden, 

 and the twigs are more slender and numerous. In winter 

 the fine twigs of this species make a delicate network 

 against the sky. The flowers of the European linden are 

 very fragrant, and are borne in clusters attached to a ribbon - 

 like bract very much resembling the American linden. The 

 pealike fruit matures in the fall, but is very persistent, 

 some of the bracts remaining on the trees all winter. 



While also subject to the attacks of plant lice and cater- 

 pillars, the European linden withstands city conditions a 

 little better than the native tree and preserves the natural 

 beauty of its foliage later in the season. It grows into a 

 medium-sized shapely tree, and is especially adapted for 

 narrow streets. 



There are a number of varieties of the American and the 

 European lindens which make good street-trees, of which 

 may be mentioned the following: the silver-leaved linden 



