i 4 LONDON TREES 



to be generally recommended, as unless carefully 

 performed, disease and insect attacks are the result. 



The Acacia was introduced to this country in 1640, 

 and in 1823 William Cobbett created a sensation with 

 regard to the tree, the timber of which, under the 

 name of the Locust, he declared to be ' absolutely in- 

 destructible by the powers of the earth, air and water.' 

 He caused large numbers to be planted, and pro- 

 phesied that the time was not far distant ' when the 

 Locust Tree would be more common than the Oak.' 

 Needless to say, the prophecy has not been fulfilled. 



Several varieties of the Acacia are cultivated 

 throughout London, one of the most useful for villa 

 gardens and small grounds being A. Pseud-acacia 

 inermis, which rarely exceeds 16 feet in height, with 

 a bushy top of the richest pea-green foliage. The 

 pyramidal form (fastigiatd), which is as upright as a 

 Lombardy Poplar, and has all the charms of the species 

 as regards verdure, is well suited for planting in London. 

 A. Pseud-acacia Decaisneana is another valuable 

 variety for the London garden. 



Although of rapid growth and attaining to a fair 

 size the Acacia is not a long-lived tree in this country, 

 the branch tips dying back and the stems showing 

 signs of incipient decay at a comparatively early date. 

 Growing under favourable conditions the Acacia will 

 attain to a height of 70 or 80 feet, with a deeply fluted 

 trunk and rough, furrowed, dark-grey bark. With 

 age the formidable spines of youth give way on the 

 branches, while decayed wood and an unhealthy 

 condition are general. 



The winter aspect of aged trees of the Acacia is by 

 no means pleasing, dead and dying twigs and a diseased 

 condition of the stem being usually present when fifty 



