24 LONDON TREES 



parks and gardens, where the age and size to which 

 they have attained testify to their suitability for both 

 urban and suburban planting. Specimens 90 feet 

 high with trunks 3 to 4 feet in diameter may be seen 

 in Hyde Park, while in the Hampstead district they 

 attain to a large size and great age. 



As an ornamental tree of imposing effect, and for 

 the sake of contrast and variety, the Ash is justly 

 recognised, the pinnate leaves being of a soft, light - 

 green colour in early summer, while the big dark- 

 coloured buds are strangely conspicuous during the 

 winter season. 



The Ash when unfavourably situated is apt to 

 become stag-headed and the prey of the goat moth ; 

 indeed, rarely is an unhealthy tree of this kind felled 

 that the timber is not tenanted by the caterpillar of 

 this formidable insect. 



The Weeping Ash (F. excelsior penduld) thrives well 

 in London, where it has been extensively planted 

 from an early date, as the many fine old specimens 

 bear testimony. For town planting it is preferable 

 to the parent tree, and is rarely found in an unhealthy 

 condition, even in the most confined positions and 

 where constantly subjected to foul air, dust, and heat. 

 There are large specimens of the Weeping Ash at 

 Kensington, Lambeth, and Bloomsbury, and over 

 the East End generally. One of particular interest 

 is growing near Liverpool Street Station, which is 

 in a remarkably healthy condition considering the 

 confined space it occupies, being surrounded on all 

 sides by tall buildings and in one of the smokiest 

 of the London areas. 



There are several good specimens of the Weeping 

 Ash in Finsbury Circus, where they appear to thrive 



