16 LAWN AND SHADE TREES. 



private grounds. The tree grows rapidly, and while its slender 

 branches droop, its form is upright, spreading, and when in 

 good soil attaining a very large size. Like the birch, graceful 

 and pliant, swaying to every breeze its glossy foliage in the 

 summer season ; and its delicate, long, slender, purplish red spray 

 in winter make the bird cherry a veiy desirable tree for many 

 situations. 



As a street tree it would be unsuitable, and for small grounds 

 it grows too large. Birds seem attracted always to it, and 

 nest in it perhaps more than in any other tree. 



The PERFUMED or MAHALEB CHERRY is another variety of 

 great beauty and value as an ornamental tree. It makes a small 

 or dwarf tree of only fifteen to twenty feet high, and may be 

 grown in any soil, from the very poorest to its opposite. For 

 planting in cemeteries and small private grounds, its light and 

 abundant spray, pale green leaves, strong yet agreeable perfume 

 of wood, flowers, and fruit, make for it a strong claim for 

 position. As a foreground also to groups of larger growing 

 trees, whether evergreen or deciduous, it is admirable. 



The DOUBLE FLOWERING CHERRY, a variety of the heart 

 cherries, from its vigorous growth and profusion of double white 

 flowers, like miniature roses in early spring, is a valuable tree 

 for roadsides in the country, inclosed parks, or extensive 

 private grounds. 



DECIDUOUS CYPRESS Taxodium distichia. Although a na- 

 tive of our Southern States, the deciduous cypress proves 

 hardy in our Middle and also over a great portion of our 

 Northern States. In foliage it is different from all other 

 trees ; with a resemblance to the hemlock, it has a light bright 

 green leaf combined with an airy lightness of great elegance, 

 pleasing and attractive to all. In low, wet grounds, as in its 

 native habitat, it grows to a large tree ; but planted in our 

 common garden soils, it forms a tree of only medium height, say 



