32 LONDON TREES 



of rapid growth produces a quicker effect than the 

 common species. 



Rarely does the Birch attain to a timber size in 

 London, though in some of the suburban districts 

 numbers of the tree have been disposed of for the 

 value of the wood. It is used for a variety of purposes, 

 such as cheap furniture, for turnery purposes generally, 

 and largely in the making of clog soles. The maker 

 of brooms uses large quantities of Birch branches or 

 ' spray/ as they are usually termed. 



The Birch is cultivated from seed, which should 

 be gathered before falling from the tree, and sown 

 immediately it is collected, the power of germination 

 not being retained after the first year. The covering 

 over the seeds should be very light, and when the soil 

 is rough no covering at all, simply sowing on the 

 surface and firming down with the back of a spade. 

 In the case of the varieties they are propagated by 

 grafting. 



Buckeye 



(Pavia macrostachyd) 



THIS is very distinct, and possesses features which 

 are shared by no other hardy tree or shrub in 

 cultivation. Rarely exceeding 16 feet in height, and 

 with a spread of often as much as 20 feet, this shrub 

 forms a perfect hemisphere of foliage, which, when 

 tipped with the pretty fragrant flowers, renders it one of 

 the most effective and handsome of hardy trees. The 

 foliage is large, and resembles that of the common 

 Horse Chestnut, while the pure- white flowers, with 

 their long projecting stamens and red-tipped anthers, 

 are pretty and imposing when at their best in July. 



