22 LONDON TREES 



duced and, owing to the bright colour of the latter 

 and general resemblance to the cultivated strawberry, 

 they are much sought after by passers-by, who in order 

 to obtain specimens have broken the branches and 

 otherwise sadly injured the tree. In the grounds of 

 Fulham Palace is growing a large specimen that 

 looks quite as fresh and healthy as any in the open 

 country, while by the Victoria side of the central 

 parks it is also to be seen. 



In Springfield Park there is a well-grown example 

 of the Arbutus, as also at Greenwich and in the central 

 parks, where several other less common species and 

 varieties are cultivated. The thick, leathery, deep- 

 green leaves are well adapted for withstanding smoke 

 and fumes, and being smooth of surface are readily 

 cleansed by every shower of rain. As early as 1749 

 two trees of the Arbutus were cultivated by John 

 Tradescant in his garden at Chelsea along with our 

 native Rhamnus catharticus, which latter was 20 feet 

 high and nearly a foot in diameter of stem. 



Near Parson's Green a Mr. Ranch reared the 

 largest Arbutus trees ever grown in England, several 

 of which were 50 feet high, and was also a successful 

 cultivator of variegated Hollies. The same gentleman 

 planted the Elm trees in Birdcage Walk, St. James's 

 Park, the plants of which were reared in his nursery 

 at Parson's Green. 



A. Andrachne does well in the central parks, one 

 in particular which has suffered severely from storms 

 being still a goodly specimen on which the beautiful 

 cinnamon -tinted bark is a prominent feature. 



The Strawberry Tree is included on account of 

 its ornamental appearance both in flower and fruit, and 

 also because in not too confined situations it succeeds 



