MAIDENHAIR TREE 77 



Magnolia 



TWO species of Magnolia, the Cucumber Tree 

 (M. acuminatd) and M. grandiflora, thrive well 

 in London, where many specimens 40 feet in height 

 and upwards are to be seen. There are good ex- 

 amples of the Cucumber Tree in the Royal Botanic 

 Gardens at Regent's Park, while as a wall specimen 

 the other may be found in not a few of the town gardens. 

 The Cucumber Tree is a large and handsome 

 species, up to 50 feet high, and when allowed plenty 

 of room produces a large bushy head. The leaves 

 are 6 inches long, ovate and pointed, and of a re- 

 freshing shade of green. Flowers greenish-yellow, 

 sweetly scented, and usually produced in abundance 

 all over the tree, these being succeeded by small 

 roughish fruit not unlike a depauperate cucumber, 

 which usually fall off before becoming ripe. M. 

 grandiflora is a well-known and valued evergreen 

 species, with very large glossy leaves that are often 

 fully 6 inches across. It is usually seen as a wall 

 covering, and the slight protection thus afforded is 

 almost a necessity, in so far at least as the develop- 

 ment of the flowers is concerned. 



Maidenhair Tree 



(Ginkgo bilobd) 



ANY tree that will thrive in the impure atmo- 

 sphere of the Commercial Road or Chelsea can 

 with confidence be recommended for planting in 

 other parts of London. 



