84 LONDON TREES 



which is by no means free from smoke and dust, the 

 Nettle Tree thrives apace, one of the trees being nearly 

 30 feet in height, with a like spread of branches, the 

 stem girthing 3 feet at a yard from the ground. Other 

 well-grown, healthy specimens are to be found in the 

 central parks, as also in several suburban districts, 

 where its healthy foliage proves that it is well suited 

 for town planting. In general appearance the Celtis 

 resembles the Elm, to which family it belongs, but it 

 differs from that tree in producing blackish-purple 

 fruit, each about the size of a pea. The small, greenish 

 flowers on slender stalks are inconspicuous, while the 

 foliage greatly resembles that of the small-leaved Elm, 

 being cordate-ovate in shape and serrated, and on 

 account of this resemblance the Celtis is apt to 

 be overlooked when growing in company with other 

 trees. 



C. australis, the European Nettle Tree, is well 

 represented in the London area, where several healthy 

 flowering and fruiting specimens are to be found. 

 In East Finchley Cemetery it has attained to a height 

 of 35 feet, the branch spread being nearly as great, while 

 flowers are produced abundantly in early spring, 

 and are succeeded by a plentiful supply of fruit. For 

 planting squares and public walks the European 

 Nettle Tree has been extensively used in both France 

 and Italy, being of neat appearance and well suited 

 for town planting. The leaves of this species are 

 ovate-lanceolate and slightly serrated, those of the 

 Caucasian species being ovate and deeply notched. 

 The fruit of both is sweet and edible, and the timber 

 of the European tree is greatly valued for many pur- 

 poses on account of its suppleness and non-liability 

 to break when bent. 



