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Chapter III. 



Trees found in the regions visited. 

 The Acacias. 



Throughout the South Acacia Bailey OMB, is planted cheifly as an ornamental 

 tree. At the best it rarely exceeds twenty feet. It is characterized by email 

 but elegant pinnate foliage of a fine glaucous color which contrasts well with 

 the golden orange blooms which appear in January and the purplish red seed pods 

 which mature later in the season. 



The style of growth is such that the tree appears at its best when the lowar 

 branches are not trimmed away but lie upon the ground. The branches grow in 

 rather a loose fashion and unless some care is given the trees will grow into 

 unshapely specimens. Unfortunately, this tree is not long lived and often 

 begins to show its decline when from ten to twenty years old. 



Acacia arias ta rarely becomes large enough to be classed as even a smell 

 tree and is of so prickly a habit that it would not be desirable for street use. 

 For shrubbery and perhaps for roadside planting in dry soil it might be used to 

 advantage. 



Acacia decurrens d.ealbata. This is a fine species with pinnately compound 

 foliage and a magnificent floral display in February or thereabout. Unfortunately, 

 unless care is given, the habit of the tree will be bad. This is a tree which 

 must be carefully selected among the nursery specimens and cared for to induce 

 a good trunk with erect growing limbs. As the tree stands pruning very well, 

 it is only a matter of care and attention in the first five or six years of the 



tree's life. 



The objection is sometimes raised that this tree is particularly liable 



to raise the sidewalks. This is quite true especially if it has been planted 



on a parking that is two feet or less in width. In has been demonstrated, however, 



that this tree can be root pruned in such a fashion that this can be obviated. 



1. Mr. Ernest Braunton. 



