TREES IN SQUARES 155 



atmosphere of the great Metropolis. Many other 

 trees and quite a long list of shrubs thrive marvellously 

 in these historic grounds. 



The Plane trees which surround the bandstand in 

 oval form are of unusual size and curiously buttressed, 

 a peculiarity that has been noticed in several of those 

 by Park Lane and in some of the squares. Evidently, 

 from the number and size to which they have attained, 

 the Cockspur and other Thorns are quite at home on 

 the soil of this field, while the Hollies are particularly 

 large and healthy for the centre of London. There 

 are many good examples of the Ailanthus, young trees 

 of the Catalpa, huge old Poplars, a big Ash tree, lots 

 of Limes, and a few fairly healthy Birch trees. The 

 Weeping Elms are characteristic of these grounds, 

 where they thrive amazingly. In the adjoining New 

 Square Ailanthus are the principal trees, though a 

 few big Planes and several Thorns, including the 

 Cockspur, are well cared for. The Fig on the adjoining 

 wall is a good specimen, about 30 feet high, which 

 evidently sprang from an older stool that had been 

 cut over years ago. In the grounds of the Hall and 

 Library there is perhaps the nicest- shaped and best- 

 furnished Birch tree in London, the branch spread 

 being 33 feet, while the healthy and plentifully pro- 

 duced leafage shows that this mountain tree can sur- 

 vive and thrive even in the heart of the Metropolis. 

 A healthy, well-furnished Thorn, several Ailanthus, 

 and some Planes and Limes complete the collection. 



Embankment Gardens. The Embankment Gardens, 

 which lie between Westminster and Blackfriars Bridges, 

 contain nothing unusual in the way of trees. Planes 

 and Poplars thrive well, as also a few Sycamores and 

 various species of Thorns. Amongst the less common 



