32 STREET AND HIGHWAY PLANTING. 



are legumes, the flowers being rather inconspicuous. The number of 

 seeds produced seems to vary greatly, some trees producing but few 

 and others great quantities. The fleshy part of the fruit in the pod 

 is edible, but is not of sufficient note to be considered, though it is 

 reported as good food for hogs. 



For the objectionable points we must note two or three things. This 

 tree, true to its evergreen nature, drops its leaves continually and even 

 more freely than some of the other broad-leaved evergreens commonly 

 found. Again, the tendency of growth is peculiar. The type of crown 

 is a low, broad, rounded head. This head is often formed, in fact is 

 usually formed, in well-cared-for trees by the division of the leader into 

 five or six almost co-ordinate branches. One or two of these may take 

 the place of the leader and divide similarly farther up, but usually 

 there is but one division. As time goes on these branches attain great 

 size and from their own weight and tendencies of habit assume a more 

 or less horizontal position. While the wood is not exceptionally brittle, 

 specimens of considerable size are often split by the weight of the 

 branches in such a way that the shape of the tree is hopelessly ruined. 

 See Fig. 13. 



Of course the logical solution of the problem is for some enthusiastic 

 nurseryman to make a study of the training of these trees with the 

 hope of securing trained specimens which will be suitable for street 

 work. The effort to thwart natural habits is a tedious operation the 

 result, if successful, must demand a price which some will be loath to 

 invest. But it is to be hoped that the time is fast coming when all the 

 nursery stock used for streets will be first class only. 



This tree in its best development is confined almost entirely to 

 southern California. About the bay we find most of the trees, though 

 still very young, assuming a shrubby rather than a tree-like habit. 



THE CYPRESSES. 



The Arizona cypress (Cupressus Arizonica) is one for which Dr. 

 Franceschi entertains considerable hope. Coming from the mountains 

 of Arizona, it will stand considerable cold and drought. Like the 

 Guadalupe cypress, it has a silvery color, though as a tree it never 

 becomes so large or spreading. 



The Guadalupe cypress (Cupressus guadalupensis) is met with fre- 

 quently and often forms a finer tree than the Monterey. Popularly 

 speaking the two are quite similar, except that the Guadalupe cypress 

 has a striking blue color to the foliage. The glaucous color varies 

 somewhat, but is usually of fairly deep tint. This tree does not seem 

 to be as short lived as the Monterey species, although many think that 

 it will go the same way. Time will be the only test and for that we 

 must wait. 



