HARDY WOODY PLANTS 173 



form of the white pophir. Tlioiigh extensively proclaimed as a substitute for 

 the decadent Lombardy poplar the campus trees show no improvement over 

 that variety. 



Populus nujra italica, Lombardv Poplau. A few trees of a very early plant- 

 ing on the campus still survive, but, as is so very common with the variety, 

 they are very ragged and unsightly. Because of its poor vitality tliis once 

 very popular tree seems doomed. Its rajiid growth might recommend it for 

 immediate and temporary effect but it is not to be considered in a permanent 

 planting. 



Frunus americana, Asieuican Plit:m. A'arious types of this species (also 

 of other native American species) have been planted on the grounds, usually 

 as pomological experiments. Nearly all of these native pliuns, however, have 

 considerable decorative value; most of them are distinctly hardy and well 

 adapted to ornamental })lanting. Of these the most available seem to be P. 

 americana and P. hortulaiui. 



Prunus avium, Mazzard. This old European species of cherry with its vari- 

 ous ornamental varieties has been frequently planted on the college grounds. 

 It is not entirely adapted to this locality but can be grown. 



Prunus hesseyi, Bkssey Chkruv. Tins species has been used rather exten- 

 sively on the grounds in an experimental way, mainly as a stock for other 

 species of prunus, including the common orchard plum. For this purpose it 

 has considerable value. As a decorative plant it may be dismissed altogether. 

 The flowers of this species and all its hybrids are extremely susceptible to 

 brown rot fungus. For this reason a mature fruit is a great rarity. The close- 

 ly related species, Prunus puniila, native to Massachusetts, has also been tried 

 with about the same negative results. While it may have some value for wild 

 plantations along the seashore it is hardly to be recommended for use in the 

 Connecticut Valley. 



Prunus cerasus rhe.vi, Rhex Cherry. One tree, now about fifty years old, 

 each year produces a mass of double white flowers. This is a very attractive 

 specimen and is fully hardy. 



Prunus demissa mehtnorarixi, Black Western Chokecherry. Ratiier 

 similar to the native chokecherry of tlie Eastern States differing chiefly in 

 ranker growth. 



Frunus (jlnndidosa ijlubra (dhiplena, Douhi.e Pixkeloweuinc. Ai.imond. This 

 is the low-growing rather compact shrub with pink double flowers, commonly 

 known sunply as "flowering almond." Because of its dwarfish habit of 

 growth it has been listed in some nursery catalogues, erroneously, as Prunus 

 nana. It is entirely distinct from that species, no variety of which is report- 

 ed as having double flowers. The double pinkflowering almond has been 

 planted on the campus several times, but always i)erished witliin a few years. 



Prunus pennsylvanica. Pix Cherry. A hardy, native, small tree, rather 

 weedy, and of quite temporary character. Nevertheless it is interesting; it 

 has abundant flowers in season; and the fruits are very accejjtable to the 

 birds. It might be freely used in large woodland border jilantings. 



Prunus serotina. Black Cherry'. A native tree seldom making large size in 

 this latitude. Heavily attacked each spring by tent caterpillars. Rather 

 weedy and unattractive, and not to be recommended for landscape planting 

 except for extremely wild conditions. 



