26 LONDON TREES 



growing trees would be out of place. The foliage 

 is not unlike that of the common Ash, while the con- 

 spicuous panicles of light, feathery, white, petalli- 

 ferous flowers render this tree one of the most distinct 

 and beautiful for ornamental purposes. They are 

 sweet-scented and borne in great profusion at the 

 end of May. For light, gravelly loam it is a choice 

 subject, but thrives best and is of most vigorous growth 

 where the soil is moderately moist. 



There are good specimens of the Flowering Ash 

 in the central parks, in the grounds of the Royal 

 Botanic Society, and in Greenwich Park. Those in 

 the Botanic Society's gardens are of almost unusual 

 size, one of the largest being 55 feet high, with a branch 

 spread of 42 feet and a stem girth of 7 feet 8 inches 

 at a yard from the ground. They are in perfect 

 health and flowers are produced freely. Though not 

 to be recommended for the more crowded parts of 

 London, the Manna Ash is well suited for cultivation 

 in the suburban and more open grounds. 



The timber of the common Ash is valuable, and 

 particularly so since the war, the demand for aeroplane 

 making having well-nigh exhausted our best home 

 supplies. In the suburban parts of the Metropolis 

 very good Ash timber has been produced, which was 

 readily disposed of at quite remunerative prices. The 

 valuable qualities of the timber of the Ash consist in 

 its great toughness and elasticity. 



The Ash is readily propagated from seed, and the 

 varieties, including the Weeping and Manna or Flower- 

 ing, by grafting and budding on plants of the same 

 species. About the beginning of November is the 

 usual time for collecting the winged seeds or bunches 

 of ' keys/ though if left on the tree quantities will 



