This tree is very common in southern California, where it is extensively 

 planted on^the streets of some of the principal cities. The stately form, fern-like 

 foliage and orange-red flowers are the reasons for its choice. In old age, how- 

 ever, it loses much of its charm, because of breakage due to the brittleness 

 of the wood. Moreover, it is considerable of a nuisance because of the con- 

 stant dropping of the leaves, and the capacity of the roots for entering water 

 pipes. These faults make the silk oak poorly adapted for a street tree. On 

 private estates, however, where it can be cared for, it is worth planting. It 

 does not do well in sections of the state where frosts are severe. 



STERCULIAS 



The Sterculias are natives of the warmer regions of the world, the two 

 species most commonly planted in southern California coming from Australia. 

 The foliage somewhat resembles that of the camphor, but the growth of the 

 trunk is entirely different. It swells at the butt giving the trees a pyramidal 

 shape. 



The flame tree (Sterculia acerifolia) takes its name from the scarlet 

 flowers which are produced in showy clusters. It reaches a height of sixty 

 feet and has a sturdy habit, with deeply lobed leaves. 



The Victorian bottle tree (Sterculia diversifolia) has a peculiar pyramidal 

 trunk growth, and bright, glossy leaves of many different shapes. The flowers 

 are not striking as on the flame tree, and give rise to heavy seed-pods at the 

 tips of the branches which tend to mar the symmetry of the tree by pulling 

 the branches out of position. 



SYCAMORES 



The sycamores belong to the genus Platanus, which is the classical name 

 of the plane tree. They embrace six or seven species found in North America, 

 Mexico, Central America and Southwestern Asia. They are splendid trees of 

 rapid growth with symmetrical, broad spreading habits. The leaves are 

 large and are rather like those of the maple in appearance. Their dark green 

 color makes an effective contrast to the gray bark which peels off in patches 

 giving the tree a motley appearance which has caused it to be called the 

 "Clothes Tree." The fruit is ball-shaped and is pendent. Its resemblance to 



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