262 PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 



planted, it requires too many years for the more -vigorous to overcome and 

 destroy the weaker, and thus secure sufficient space for successful growth ; 

 and that Catalpa spcciosa is upright of habit, with long trunk, when sufficient 

 space is afforded to give it opportunity. 



I do not find anything in Mr. Hall's report indicating that close planting 

 has prevented side branches. And my own observation of various plantations 

 which I have visited leads me to the belief that it does not. In plantations 

 4x4 feet, planted eight to ten years, I found many side branches sound and 

 tenacious. Pruning is necessary and is entirely practicable up to twenty or 

 even twenty-five feet from the ground, if desired. 



In looking up information for this report, it has been my object to follow 

 practical lines as closely as possible. I have visited various plantations, all 

 of which I found planted 4x4 feet or 3x6 feet, and the results obtained were 

 found in all cases similar to those so fully reported upon by Mr. Hall. I have 

 never found a tree in a close plantation which had grown large enough to 

 indicate that it will pay any one to plant Catalpa trees with the idea of grow- 

 ing timber suitable for cross-ties within a reasonable limit of time. 



I have, however, found many trees growing singly upon lawns and along 

 roadways which show a remarkable growth. From many examples I will 

 give the following: Several street trees at Colfax, Ind., planted twenty-six 

 years ago, have attained a growth suitable for saw logs, or will make several 

 cross-ties to each tree. Five trees growing on a lawn at Charleston, \V. Va., 

 have in thirteen years grown large enough to make pole ties from each butt 

 cut. Because of their upright tendency they were cut back at twelve feet from 

 the ground, and the owner informed me recently that a sprout from the 

 tree nearest his house had in five years made a growth of thirty-five feet, and 

 that when he cut this sprout because it towered above his roof, it was found 

 to measure six inches in diameter at the base. 



In southern Illinois I found many Catalpa trees still standing in the 

 original forest groves. Two large trees had been recently felled, and the 

 farmer was splitting them up for fence rails and posts. This gave me an 

 excellent opportunity to measure the tree and examine the wood. One tree 

 was cut up as follows : 



One 12-ft. log, 28 in. diameter at butt,. 18 in. at top. 

 One i8-ft. log, 18 in. diameter at butt, 14 in. at top. 

 One lo-ft. log, 14 in. diameter at butt, 13 in. at top. 

 One ro-ft. log, 13 in. diameter at butt, 9 in. at top. 



The second tree measured twenty-six inches at the butt, and tapered 

 gradually to a nine-inch top, fifty-two feet up. It was straight and perfectly 

 sound throughout. Several logs from each of these trees had been split once 

 through the center, and all showed up perfectly clear and sound hearted through- 

 out, the first cut eighteen feet long not even showing a knot. 



A larger tree standing near, measured eighty-four inches circumference 

 two feet up : seventy-two inches circumference twelve feet up, the estimated 

 height being sixty feet to forks. 



Another of about the same height measured seventy-six inches circum- 

 ference at butt ; sixty inches twelve feet up. 



