PRACTICAL BOOK OF GARDEN ARCHITECTURE 



green, arched over a walk, extending for a con- 

 siderable distance across the garden. 



Pleached alleys of ilex, and various other ever- 

 green trees, are to-day considered one of the 

 " sights " of special charm for travellers visiting the 

 gardens of famous Italian villas. In England closely 

 planted elm trees and cornel, and pliable willow 

 branches, are the favorite trees for interweaving 

 into living arches. The finest type of pleached alley 

 to be found in this country is composed of American 

 hornbeam Carpinus Caroliniana. It is the dis- 

 tinguishing feature of Mrs. Henry Lee's garden at 

 Brookline, Massachusetts, and is known throughout 

 the country for its great length and the beauty and 

 uniformity of its splendid arches. It is over two 

 hundred feet long, and about twelve feet wide be- 

 neath the arch. 



Cedar trees and various evergreens with tough, 

 pliable wood are the favorites for the gateway 

 arches. At the Mercer estate at Doylestown, Penn- 

 sylvania, there are excellent specimens not only serv- 

 ing as decorative arches over the entrances to the gar- 

 den, but also as a green background for garden 

 statuary. The choice of the trees to form these 

 living arches will be of great importance when the 

 series is to be of special length. The long evergreen 

 arches with closely interwoven branches will often 



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