52 



TREES AS GOOD CITIZENS 



and its freedom from insects and diseases, its use has been 

 given special attention by the United States Department 

 of Agriculture. One of the most effective bits of group 

 planting in the city of Washington is the collection of 

 Ginkgoes in the grounds of this department. The tree 

 thrives on poor soil, and is not injured by the reflected heat 

 from pavements, which causes serious harm to many trees. 

 If unpruned, its shape is conical, with occasional stray 

 branches at almost any angle, but becomes a broad, flat- 

 topped tree with age, having obliquely-spreading straight 

 branches. By trimming, it may be developed into rounded 

 form at an early age. There is a pyramidal form that is 

 comparable in its outline to a Lombardy Poplar that 

 maintains its typical outline. Its vigorous persistence of 

 growth against obstacles and its response to control of 

 form by pruning make it a valuable tree for narrow city 

 streets. The name Maidenhair Tree comes from the 

 leaves being shaped like the leaflets of the Maidenhair 

 fern. These are dark green and turn a brilliant yellow. 

 The pistillate trees bear yellowish soft-fleshed fruits in 

 abundance. These are objectionable because, in dropping^ 

 they make the sidewalks slimy and slippery; they have a 

 very disagreeable odor, and the flesh is poisonous to some 



skins. By using only the 

 staminate form, grafted from 

 mature trees, there need be 

 no trouble from the fruits. 

 Its use is growing in favor 

 and should be encouraged. 



Basswood or American 

 Linden. Advocates of the 

 Basswood for street purposes 

 will find a living and force- 

 ful argument for this species 



V > "* BASSWOOD 







