30 STREET AND HIGHWAY PLANTING. 



THE CATALPAS. 



The catalpas (principally C. speciosa) occur scatteringly, ''both in 

 private yards and in the street work. At best it does not appear to be 

 very happy in the south, though isolated specimens do occur which 

 seem to be thriving. In the north, however, many good trees may be 

 found, but so many more desirable trees may be selected for street 

 work that it is not to be considered in most instances. 



The tree is of symmetrical growth; has large light green leaves and 

 showy panicles of white flowers in the spring. So far as was noticed 

 there was little maturing of fruit in the south, but doubtless this cannot 

 be depended upon, as the trees fruit freely in the north. The tree is of 

 fairly rapid growth and reasonably free from insect pests. As to its 

 permanent value only experiments can tell. 



Somewhat resembling the catalpas is the Empress tree (Paulownia 

 imperialis) (Fig. 11). The only objection to this tree is that the 

 woody seed-pods are very persistent. The lavender flowers are rather 

 showy and the foliage is large and attractive. 



THE CEDARS. 



The Mt. Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica) is found less frequently than 

 the deodar. Perhaps this is accounted for by its less rapid growth 

 and its less showy appearance in the first years of its life. The differ- 

 ence in growth, however, is slight and the full beauty of the tree at 

 maturity should be considered. The needles are much shorter and 

 darker as compared with those of the deodar. 



The deodar itself (C. Deodara) is a fine tree with good foliage of a 

 semi-glaucous tint. The tips of the young shoots have a pendant nature 

 which adds much to the grace of the tree. 



Both of these trees are conifers and are open to the common objection 

 of the necessity for pruning away of the lower branches. This has 

 been done, however, on specimen trees with no very bad result. 



There is no question but that the deodar makes a noble avenue tree. 

 However, the problems connected with its use call for considerable 

 ingenuity and a careful study of local conditions. The prospective 

 planter must remember that there will come a time when the tree will 

 have a spread at the base of at least forty feet and that there will be 

 some tendency for large roots to show near the surface for some 

 twenty feet. Moreover the shade cast will be very thick so that alter- 

 nate planting may be advisable. Furthermore, there will be a dropping 

 of needles which will be of considerable annoyance to any abutting 

 property holders who have a lawn. (It might be pertinent to note at 

 this point that English ivy (Hedera helix) does well as a ground cover 

 under these trees.) For all these problems no hard and fast rule can 

 be made. 



