THE UMBRELLA TREE 



THE Umbrella Tree is one of the most distinctive of the native Magnolias: the 

 large leaves are clustered at the ends of the branches and are commonly a foot 

 or more long; they arise from smooth hairless buds and branches, appearing in 

 advance of the large, malodorous flowers, which have three characteristic light green 

 petal-like sepals protecting the flower. These sepals probably gave the common name 

 Umbrella Tree to the species, as well as led the great Swedish botanist Linne to give it 

 its technical name, tripetala. Examples of the large glabrous buds and the interesting 

 fruits are well shown on the plate. 



The Umbrella Tree is one of those widely distributed species which may be found in 

 many places, but seldom in great abundance. It is especially at home on the slopes of the 

 Appalachian Mountains, and also occurs in many of the Southern States. It is a favorite 

 tree for ornamental planting, good examples reaching a height of forty feet and having a 

 massive effect due to the clusters of large leaves held on the ends of the branches. 



Another tree that should be mentioned in this connection is the Laurel Magnolia 

 or True Magnolia or Bull Bay, the species called M. grandiflora by Linnaeus and M. faztida 

 by Professor Sargent, who says it is " the most splendid ornamental tree in the American 

 forest." Native to our own Southland, this species has been largely planted by landscape 

 gardeners throughout the temperate climates of the world, its appeal to admiration being 

 based on its large size, its beautiful leaves and flowers, and the numerous varieties which 

 European horticulturists have developed. 



There are many imported kinds of Magnolias now in cultivation. Most of these 

 are from China or other Asiatic countries while some of the most beautiful are hybrids. 

 In planting any of the Magnolias it is desirable to get well-grown nursery stock and to 

 transplant in spring as the buds are starting to grow. Most sorts thrive best in a well- 

 drained loamy soil, though the Swamp Magnolia will thrive in a wetter situation. Foi 

 ornamental use as specimen plants for early blossoming, this group of trees and shrubs is 

 unrivalled. 



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