SHADE, LAWK, AND PARK TREES. 331 



316. The Plane-tree (Platanus occidentalis). This has 

 for many years been a popular shade and park tree over 

 the north temperate zone of both continents. As an 

 avenue tree in large parks and private places, it has been 

 used with happy effect in giving variety of expression. 

 Downing says truly: "For the purposes of shade and 

 shelter the American species is the finest, as its foliage is 

 longest and broadest." 



In the Eastern States a fungus trouble of the leaves 

 causes the foliage often to drop, followed by a new crop 

 later in the season. This weakens the tree, and it is less 

 planted than formerly. With the native species of the 

 West this leaf disease has not appeared. 



317. The Basswood or Linden. Over west and east 

 Europe the linden (Tilia Europea) is a favorite tree for 

 avenues, streets, shade, and in park gronpingt But this 

 European species in the States has been troubled with 

 borers, leaf-blight, and other diseases. But the American 

 species (Tilia Americana] is a clean, healthy tree much 

 used for avenue and street trees and also for park groups. 

 Downing says of it: " One of the most beautiful trees. Its 

 head forms a fine pyramid of verdure." 



In the park system of Minneapolis, Minnesota, it has 

 been much used for avenues, streets, and in park groups. 

 When transplanted with high stem the south side is apt 

 to be sun-scalded before the spreading of the top can shade 

 it. Hence it is usually wrapped with gunny sacking or 

 hay ropes when set out to protect the stem. 



In western New York several varieties of the European 

 linden are used in ornamental planting with good effect, 

 such as the white-leaved, weeping, golden-barked, and 

 cut-leaved, but they only succeed locally and are not hardy 

 in the West. 



