The Lindens 



that grow along Broadway in New York, The splendid lime 

 trees in the rural sections of France and Germany and in the 

 parks show the linden in its best estate. 



In America some fine avenues of this species have attained 

 great age and size. The season of 1904 found these trees loaded 

 with flowers and fruit, under a leaf crown of unusual density 

 and beauty. The lower limbs lie on the ground when the tree 

 makes a natural growth, and the platforms of foliage, each lined 

 with the pendant cluster of flowers, fairly dripping with nectar, 

 form a symmetrical cone worth going miles to see. The ground 

 under these trees was covered with discarded petals and the 

 weakest of the flower clusters, but the limbs above still bent 

 under the burden of the ripening seed balls. The leaves remain 

 much later than those of the native basswoods. 



There are many fine specimens of Tilia tomeniosa and Tilia 

 argentea, from eastern Europe, now coming into American gardens 

 and parks. These species deserve more extended cultivation. 

 Each has its foliage lightened with silky leaf linings. The weeping 

 silver linden, Tilia petiolaris, is an elegant tree with white-lined 

 leaves. 



The Broad-leaved Linden {Tilia platy pi yllos), very common 

 in European parks and avenues, soon loses its foliage in dry 

 weather and is less desirable than other species for America. 

 It is clipped to form hedges in Europe; the alleys of the Tuilleries 

 gardens were made of it. 



Because lindens submit patiently to pruning, they have long 

 been clipped into grotesque figures, along with yew and box. 

 They had a tremendous vogue while the formal garden was 

 approaching its most elaborate development. A more lasting 

 popularity was vouchsafed them as avenue and park trees, a 

 popularity which dates from remote times and is still unchecked. 

 "The Linden spreadeth forth his branches wide and farre abroad, 

 being a tree which yieldeth a most pleasant shadow, under and 

 within whose boughs may be made brave summer houses and 

 banquetting arbours." 



II 



I 

 398 I 



