PARK TIMBER 267 



approach to a lodge, gateway, or monument. In such cases, 

 almost any tree which develops a tall, stately stem is 

 appropriate, and as such may be mentioned the cedar, sequoia 

 spruce, silver fir, etc., amongst conifers, and almost any 

 of the larger species amongst hardwoods. Although both 

 wide and narrow methods of planting are adopted when 

 forming these avenues, there is little doubt that the finest 

 effect is produced by the latter. A drive or walk running 

 through rows of tall massive boles, enveloped in an outer 

 covering of twigs and foliage, has a much finer effect than 

 when the trees are isolated, and the space between them is 

 sufficient to produce a dwarfing effect upon their proportions. 

 In the one case the avenue is complete from end to end, 

 and forms a large but single feature ; in the other it is a 

 constant repetition of single objects, which are apt to 

 become monotonous in themselves, and are not relieved by 

 an objective, as in the case of a park avenue. 



Amongst types of avenues which deviate more or less 

 from the normal may be mentioned those which run through 

 a belt or wood so as to produce a uniform effect from end to 

 end, but without any regular arrangement of the trees. A 

 well-known example of such an avenue is that at Savernake, 

 known as the " Grand " Avenue. This type can be formed 

 in any wood or belt of trees after they have attained a 

 considerable age or size, and this does away to some extent 

 with the necessity for formal planting so many years in 

 advance. The slight deviation from a straight line in the 

 arrangement of the trees does not materially alter the effect 

 produced, so long as they stand close and regular and do not 

 differ too much in age. A straight ride, running through a 

 fairly thick wood, always produces an effect of this kind, and 

 it is probably preferable, if not overdone, to endless and 

 unmeaning curves. 



The planting of avenues in parks is usually effected 

 by enclosing each tree in a guard or cage. This method 

 involves a long period, during which the avenue has a heavy 

 and unsightly appearance, and it is questionable whether a 

 better effect would not be produced by enclosing a strip of 

 ground on either side of the ride or drive with a neat iron or 

 wire fence, and filling up the space between with temporary 



