The Natural Style in Landscape Gardening 



The row of trees is commonly excluded from all 

 naturalistic planting, or is admitted only under 

 protest. The row is obviously artificial and so con- 

 tradicts flatly the feeling which the landscape gar- 

 dener is often trying to establish, i. e., the feeling 

 that here nature has had her own way. It is quite 

 plain that the tree row is outside the forms of nature 

 and may even break seriously upon the spirit of 

 naturalistic work. 



All this may be granted, and yet the tree row not 

 wholly abolished. There are many places where the 

 natural style may be appropriately adopted yet 

 where the illusion of the uninhabited wilderness can 

 never be attained. Large and obvious compromises 

 with civilization may be made without vitiating en- 

 tirely the naturalistic method. Straight streets and 

 long architectural lines are common elements in our 

 practical landscape problems; and they are ele- 

 ments to be met frankly and honestly. Along such 

 lines the formal row of trees always has charm, 

 dignity, beauty. It is by no means always neces- 

 sary, therefore, to exclude such objects of charm, 

 dignity and beauty from every composition on the 



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