112 Practical Forestry 



no praise from us, these qualities having been recognised 

 from the earliest date. 



It bears pruning with impunity, so that all ungainly or 

 far-spreading branches can be cut back or foreshortened 

 at pleasure ; while those near the ground, which in any 

 way interfere with the fence or crop, can, by judicious 

 management, be altogether removed. Several of the fasti- 

 giate forms of the oak are equally, if not better, suited for 

 hedgerow planting. 



The Lombardy Poplar (Populus fastigiata). Although 

 of ,' but little value as a [timber-producer, yet, as an or- 

 namental tree of singular habit and appearance, the 

 Lombardy poplar is almost unique amongst our hardy 

 deciduous trees. 



When planted in judiciously-arranged clumps in the 

 corners of fields, or hedgerows, this poplar produces a most 

 pleasing effect in the landscape : and, being of close, fasti- 

 giate growth, it is not in the least injurious to crops in its 

 immediate vicinity. No tree is, however, more readily 

 misplaced than the one in question ; and in planting it is 

 well to avoid the prevalent mistake of placing in lines, 

 squares, round or oval forms, or even in single specimens, 

 these methods being highly objectionable and devoid of 

 good taste that is, if we desire to preserve in the landscape 

 a natural appearance. 



The Sycamore (Acer Pseudo-platar.us), as a standard 

 tree, either in field or fence, is worthy of attention, not only 

 for its well-known ornamental character, but also on account 

 of the great value of the wood produced, as it is in this 

 latter respect, perhaps, second to none. As a farmer's tree 

 it is, also, not one of the worst ; for, although the branches 

 incline to spread, still, by careful manipulation in the way 

 of pruning, this may be corrected without doing injury to 

 too great an extent to the ornamental qualities of the 

 tree. For imparting both shade and shelter to farm 

 stock the sycamore may be used with the best advan- 

 tage. Few trees produce such valuable timber when 

 grown singly or in clumps in the corners of fields and 

 paddocks as the sycamore, and no other repays so fully 



