AKCHES AND PLEACHING 



be required to carry a heavy burden of snow during 

 the winter, and it is important that they shall be 

 strong enough to support it. Any sturdy growth of 

 springy, long-fibred wood will be suitable to form the 

 living arch that is to endure unchanged for many 

 years, but the various evergreen growths have the 

 preference, because of their winter attractions. 



The usual definition given for pleaching is to 

 fold, lay or wind together. To unite by interweav- 

 ing, as branches of trees. There is more tedious 

 work than the mere braiding and interweaving, how- 

 ever, to form a permanent pleached alley or 

 arch. The usual process of building this live arch 

 with its broad, shaded walk beneath, is first to form 

 a strong trellis of wood or heavy iron along the two 

 rows of closely planted trees which are to be inter- 

 twined over the walk. This supporting trellis is 

 carefully built in the form desired for the finished 

 arch. For the arches formed of some of the close- 

 foliaged evergreen trees, the supporting trellis of 

 iron, forming the uniform arch overhead, is of per- 

 manent construction, intended to remain after the 

 arch of trees has become well formed and tied in 

 place. The closely pruned foliage above and be- 

 low the arch completely hides the support, and it 

 gives extra durability without spoiling the effect 

 of the living arch. For the trees with swaying foli- 



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