The Elms and the Hackberries 



three or four main limbs with sHght but constant divergence as 

 they rise. Their branches follow their example. The divisions 

 are drawn downward by their increasing weight, and the extremi- 

 ties are pendulous, sweeping out and down with loads of foliage, 

 luxuriant, but never heavy looking or ungraceful. 



There are narrower elm forms: tall trunks whose limbs 

 form a brush at the top, not unlike a feather duster. Such trees 

 often replace lost outer limbs by a multitude of short leafy 

 twigs, covering the trunks with foliage, thus forming what are 

 known as "feathered elms." 



The "oak-tree form" wider and broader than the vase 

 form reminds one of the ample crown of an oak. But only the 

 outline is suggestive. The limbs are curved, never angular and 

 tortuous like the oak. Grace rather than strength is invariably 

 the expression of the American elm. In good soil the terminal 

 shoots attain great length, and it is not unusual to see an elm 

 of vase shape with the droop of a weeping willow. 



The leaves of the elm are two-ranked, the twigs plume-like. 

 Every chink is filled with a leaf. Break off a branch that faces 

 the sun, and you will be astonished at the twisting and contriving 

 of the leaves, to present an unbroken surface of green. This is 

 known as a "leaf mosaic," and is by no means confined to elms. 

 Any roadside thicket shows the same habit in all its species. 



I think, with all due regard for its summer luxuriance, and the 

 grace of its framework in winter, the greatest charm invests the 

 elm of the roadside in the first warm days of spring. The swelling 

 buds are full of promise. A flush of purple overspreads the tree, 

 while snow yet covers the ground. A tremendous "fall of leaves" 

 ensues for the tiny leaf scales that enclose the elm flowers are 

 but leaves in miniature. The elms are in blossom ; they are among 

 the first in the flower procession that silently passes till the witch 

 hazel brings up the rear in October. Then come the little green 

 seeds, winged for flight. These ripen and are scattered before 

 the leaves are open, and the growth of the season's shoots really 

 begins. How much they miss who never see the elms in flower 

 and fruit! 



The English elm (U. campestris) is a strikingly different 

 tree from its American cousin. Boston Common gives ample 

 opportunity to contrast large specimens of the two species. 

 Dignity is a characteristic of each. Each bears a luxuriant 



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