SHADE TREES. 



THE MERITS OF VARIOUS TREES DISCUSSED. 



Experiments thus far made do not give a correct idea of what trees will 

 do in cities when properly cared for ; but certain facts have been deter- 

 mined with regard to many species which should be considered in making 

 up a list for use in cities. Without this discussion of the merits of each 

 tree, a list would neither be understood nor appreciated. I therefore give 

 below some of the points for and against the most commonly cultivated 

 shade trees, following their order in the list, which order is substantially 

 according to merit. 



OAK. 



So far as experiments have shown, oaks are the best shade trees for 

 cities. They are strong, durable, and beautiful, and have few enemies. 

 Owing to a popular notion that oaks grow slowly, they have heretofore been 

 little planted on streets, but several cities are now beginning to make use 

 of them. The oldest oaks are to be seen in Hamburg, where the city has 

 encroached upon the ancient forest. An avenue of this same species (Q. 

 pedunculatd] has been recently planted in Cologne, which, so far as I have 

 observed, is the only city in Europe that has made use of the oak for street 

 planting. In this country, the oldest oaks may be seen in Washington, 

 where the red oak and pin oak in 

 particular have been very success- 

 fully grown. Red oaks have also 

 been recently planted in Boston 

 between Franklin Park and Hunt- 

 ington Avenue. The best species 

 of oak are, probably, the red oak, 

 the pin oak, and the scarlet oak ; 

 but there are several other species 

 almost as good as these, though 

 none of quite so rapid growth as 

 the red oak. The white oak is 

 somewhat objectionable on account 

 of its slow growth and because its 

 leaves remain upon the tree after 

 they are dead. The number of oaks 

 given in the list might be much 

 increased. Those selected are of 

 various sizes and have been given 



FIG. 15. Avenue of pin oaks east 



of the White House, Washington. 

 SYCAMORE. fo 



The sycamore is an excellent 



shade producer, the leaves appearing at the proper time in this latitude and 

 remaining on the tree as long as could be desired, when they give place to 

 the persistent and graceful fruit. With a little protection it passes the 



