SANTA MONICA FORESTRY SUBSTATION ACACIAS. 101 



by the little "oak wasp" (Andricus sp.), and the whole tendency of 

 the tree is to grow shrubby and crooked. It has taken much pruning 

 and suckering to keep them in shape. The tree is therefore practically 

 useless here for timber purposes, as are all the oaks tested at this sub- 

 station. 



The Japanese species need better soil and more water; the Eastern 

 oaks grow very slowly indeed. In the canon the native coast live oak 

 (Quercus agrifolia) grows very well, and there are some good trees of 

 this species on the substation tract. Its growth is checked by caterpillars. 



Black Locust. This well-known tree remains the leading small hard- 

 wood adapted to this climate. It thrives on the middle mesa without 

 irrigation, and reproduces readily from self-sown seed. Few trees have 

 stood the severe droughts better. Trees can be grown here with trunks 

 of 8 or 10 inches in diameter in twelve years. This tree in recent years 

 has been much neglected; its value for fuel and fence-posts, as well as 

 for various hardwood uses, justifies more general planting. 



The Casuarinas. No species of hardwood trees have proved more 

 drought-resistant here than the larger casuarinas. C. suberosa is one of 

 the best. C. glauca has done well. The largest trees of C. suberosa, now 

 twelve years old, show trunks 6 feet to lowest branches and girthing from 

 2 feet 2 inches to 2 feet 10 inches. Such growth gives evidence of the 

 great value of casuarinas to tree-planters. 



Zelkova keaki. This Japanese hardwood tree needs more rain; other- 

 wise, the climate is well adapted to its growth. It develops, however, 

 too slowly in California to be of value anywhere when compared with 

 other species of hardwoods. 



Ashes. After long trial of five species, including the European White, 

 American White, etc., the Arizona ash (Fraxinus velutina) proves by far 

 the best for this locality. So well does it grow from seed that a planta- 

 tion, if rainfall or irrigation up to an average of 15 inches per annum 

 can be obtained, should be profitable. Here, with an average of only 10 

 inches, the tree, though making a good start, does not equal the common 

 black locust, the casuarina or the best acacias ; but it is exceedingly 

 drought-resistant. 



Maytenus boaria. This little Chilian hardwood tree has taken hold 

 remarkably here, growing fast without irrigation. Its value for orna- 

 mental purposes is undoubted, but its hardwood value depends on rate 

 of growth, which is greater here than at Berkeley, with greater rainfall. 



Other Hardwood Trees. There are many interesting and valuable 

 trees in the arboretum here which have proven their adaptation to the 

 locality, and some of these deserve especial mention. 



Seed of the Schinus terebinthifolius, a new and large-leaved pepper 

 tree, was locally distributed last season. The demand is great and 

 increasing. It is a much more bright-leaved, healthy, and attractive 

 tree than the common pepper tree (Schinus molle)j and should in great 

 degree supersede it. As in the case of the common species, the berries 

 are red and handsome; the leaves and general growth are superior. It 

 was planted on a dry hillside and has received no irrigation. 



