CHAPTER XI 

 ORNAMENTAL PLANTING 



As the beauty and picturesqueness of an estate are so 

 dependent on the disposition of its single trees, groups 

 and plantations, the forester should never lose sight of the 

 fact, even when dealing with plantations that are mainly 

 intended for the value of the timber produced. 



In ornamental planting one of the principal things to 

 bear in mind is to allow sufficient space for each of the 

 permanent standards to develop its true and natural char- 

 acter. Instead, therefore, of planting indiscriminately 

 and in a sort of haphazard way, have a fixed idea, and only 

 plant on a regular and well-matured plan. Should the 

 individual standards be considered stiff or unsightly for 

 the first few years, a good plan is to fill up the spaces between 

 them with small-growing trees and shrubs, these being 

 removed subsequently as necessity demands, but always 

 before damage to the permanent specimens has been brought 

 about by too close contact. The habit of the tree or shrub, 

 and the size to which it will ultimately attain are points 

 that should never be lost sight of in ornamental planting. 

 Far too often the mistake is made of planting specimen 

 trees too near roads and buildings, or, quite as bad, too 

 close to each other. This is a most unfortunate mistake, 

 as it sooner or later necessitates the sacrifice of specimens 

 when their full beauty is probably developed, or when they 

 can least be spared. 



In the case of both hardwooded and coniferous, the latter 

 in particular, the trees are planted when young and small, 

 and ample room is supposed to be given to them ; but, as 

 they grow up and near perfect development, the spread of 



116 



