EVEKGKEEN THEK8. 27 



MEETING FOR DISCUSSION. 



EVERGRKKN TrEES. 

 Hy William C. Strong, Newton Highlands. 



In assigning this subject for discussion, it is presumable that 

 our C'onuuittee intended to limit the list to such trees as are hardy 

 and adapted to this latitude. What are commonly called the 

 broad-leaved evergreen trees, such as the American Holly, tlie 

 Kalmia latifolia, and Rhododendrons, would properly come within 

 tliis list, but the field is too broad to lie covered in the time allowed 

 for tliis session. Therefore, with the single allusion to the bright, 

 fresh, polished green foliage of the Kuhnia, which sliould l)e more 

 appreciated for its fine winter effect, I propose to confine my 

 remarks to such of the conifers as seem to be of promise for 

 culture in New England. Looking back but a few years, we 

 should find this list tpiite limited in numbers. But a marked 

 advance has been made within the present generation, including 

 numerous and valuable introductions from the western coast of our 

 own continent, as well as from Japan and other countries, so that 

 we now have a largely increased number, and also very distinct 

 colorings and habits of growth. What an immense gain it is to 

 us that in our cold, desolate winters, we can vary and enliven the 

 evergreen effect by tlie addition of the. glaucous sheen of some of 

 the newer Firs, with the richer green of the Nordmann, the 

 distinct form and color of the Sciadopitys, or the varying grace, 

 in form and color, of the family of Retinosporas ! By a judicious 

 use of such material as we now have, a warmth and variety of 

 A-erdure and a diversity of outline may be given to a landscape, or 

 to a country home, far surpassing the possibilities of a few years 

 ago. In saying this it is not to be inferred that the older kinds are 

 to be displaced, or even reduced to a subordinate rank. They are 

 still the basis of all good work in planting, but they are happily 

 supplemented b}- recent varieties of differing forms and colors, so 

 that much richer and more pleasing effects can now be produced. 

 Let us In'iefly mention some of the indispensable older kinds. 



Our native AVliite Spruce {Picea alba), often called Blue 

 Spruce, is one of the hardiest and most pleasing of conifers. Its 

 conical, thick-set shape, and its light and more or less glaucous foliage 

 render it alwavs a favorite. Thouoh not so long;-lived or so valu- 



