20 LONDON TREES 



the scales are about to open, and as the seed is small 

 must be carefully dealt with. They should be stored 

 in a dry room and turned from time to time, sowing 

 usually taking place during dry weather in March, 

 the seeds being very lightly covered with fine soil. 

 The seedlings grow rapidly, and are ready for planting 

 out during the third year. 



Almond 



(Amygdalus communis amara) 



TO Londoners this small-growing tree is perhaps 

 better known than most others on account of the 

 conspicuous flowers which are produced in such 

 abundance during the early spring season. Whether 

 by a suburban roadside or in the heart of the crowded 

 city the Almond is equally at home, and may safely be 

 described as the loveliest and most welcome of early 

 spring-flowering trees. The Almond is so commonly 

 planted and has attained to such large dimensions in 

 most of the parks, open spaces, and private gardens, 

 that recording particular specimens will be quite 

 unnecessary, it being sufficient to say that the growth 

 of the tree all over London points out that it is one 

 of the best subjects for withstanding the deleterious 

 effects of a town atmosphere. The flowers, which 

 vary a good deal in depth of colouring, are compara- 

 tively small for the family, pale pink, and produced 

 before the leaves, usually about the end of March or 

 beginning of April. The Almond requires a rich, 

 loamy soil and is propagated from seed, which ripens 

 freely in the London area, or by grafting. 



It attains to a height of 30 feet in some of the parks 



