HARUY \\()()DV PI>ANTS 151 



Low winter temperatures are to be specially noted, since a certain num- 

 ber of species (e.g. sweetjiiim and persimmon) find in these minimum tem- 

 peratures their limiting fact<xr. Other species which aj)proach their northern 

 limit in Amherst are flowering dogwood, beautybush (Callicarpa), Kentucky, 

 coffeetree, black walnut, box, sourwood, wisteria, redbud, Paulownia, sassa- 

 fras, yellow-wood, hollygrape, and filbert. 



Summer drought also accounts for the failure of other species from year 

 to year. Some of those which most clearly suifer in this respect are the firs, 

 spruces generally, the hemlocks somewhat less, beech, yellow birch, ground- 

 selbush, Scotch broom, leatherw ood, and Stephanandra. 



Notes on Species and Varieties 



Abies- balsamea, Balsam Fir. This iine native tree is better suited to north- 

 ern latitudes and cold soils. It does ndt do especially well on the campus 

 nor on any similar open cultivated land. A few rather inferior specimens 

 have been maintained but have never reached any great age or large size. 

 An attempt to grow the balsam fir in hedge formation on light gravelly soil 

 has been something less than a half-hearted success. 



Abies concolor. White Fhs. This species also prefers higher altitudes with 

 colder, heavier soil than are found here. Nevertheless during its early years 

 it makes an excellent growth and a very attractive symmetrical tree. If one 

 could be satisfied with this tree for twenty years and would then be willing 

 to dig it out and throw it away when it began to look moth-eaten, such treat- 

 ment might be entirely practicable. This tree is often compared with the 

 ordinary blue spruce to the disadvantage of the latter. Such a comparison, 

 however, would be valid only during the youth of the white fir, when the 

 young specimens are at their best. 



Abies nordinunniana, Noudimaxn Fir. A fine, beautiful, dignified tree with 

 excellent foliage. Thrives well for about twenty years, but does not make a 

 permanently satisfactory tree in our soil and climate. During the years of 

 its juvenile enthusiasm it is one of the most beautiful evergreens on the 

 groimds. 



Acnnfli(/ii(()ia.v peufapJit/Iluni. This fine and well-known shrub, belonging 

 to the Aralia family, has not been honored with a "common name." It 

 thrives, nevertheless, and is generally planted. It is stiff and somewhat 

 thorny, growth upright, foliage bright, glossy green with five-parted leaves 

 covering the plant from base to top. It can be used for massing and for 

 general landscape effects. It is to be especially recommended for hedges, as 

 it stands shearing and withstands intruders. 



Acer campestre, Hedge Maple. Not quite hardy at Amherst but should be 

 very satisfactory in a somewhat milder cUmate. It could be used as a large 

 shrub or small tree, growing about twenty feet high, or it can be sheared 

 into very fine hedges. 



Acer dasycarpum, Silver Maple. {A. saccharinum). A common hardy 

 tree, fast growing but subject to breakage as the wood is weak. In the Mid- 

 dle States, beyond the zone of the sugar maple, this species is largely used 

 for a street tree or for general planting in parks and home grounds. It is 

 of only secondary importance in this vicinity. The Wier .aiaple is a half- 

 weeping form with finely cut foliage. It makes a fairly good ornamental 



