50 STREET AND HIGHWAY PLANTING. 



Certainly for most city streets it would not be desirable, but for wide 

 boulevards where the soil mosture is plentiful or artificial watering is 

 easily available, it might be useful. 



There are many other magnolias worthy of consideration, especially 

 in the northern part of the State. Some of these are deciduous species 

 of considerable individuality. In Japan there are many fine avenues 

 of magnolias and we may gain some inspiration from their use in that 

 country. 



THE UMBRELLA TREE. 



This tree (Melia azedarach and var. umbraculiformis) is one of the 

 most common trees found. This is perhaps due to its very rapid 

 growth and hence its quickness in giving adequate shade. Where it is 

 well grown it forms very handsome specimens. But in ninety-nine 

 cases out of a hundred it is not well grown, with the result that branch- 

 ing begins too low down; too many branches are formed, and large 

 portions are broken out by any chance wind. This light nature of the 

 wood makes it an easy prey to fungus troubles, so that after pruning or 

 a splitting of the trunk, decay is often brought about even in cases where 

 care is taken. 



Of course under proper nursery treatment the heading can be brought 

 to a reasonable height and the number of branches properly restrained. 

 But even if these points were removed the excessive litter would give 

 the tree a low place in the scale of species. The large compound leaves 

 first drop their leaflets and then the rachis and petiole by degrees. 

 Fruits also are very abundant, and as the flesh of the berry is very 

 slippery underfoot, it is often unsafe. Some serious accidents have 

 been attributed to the fruits. It has been noted in some parts of the 

 south, Kedlands particularly, that certain specimens of the var. umbra- 

 culiformis bears less fruit than the more spreading type. This variety 

 is the more common form, as the other tree is less desirable even in 

 popular estimation, though it does escape the notice of many, in the 

 younger stages. 



Although this tree has undue popularity for a deciduous species, it 

 cannot be recommended for permanent plantings. And although iso- 

 lated specimens may be found in many places where they appear to 

 advantage, it is the consensus of opinion that as a street tree it is not to 

 be considered in the future. 



THE MULBERRIES. 



The black mulberry (Morus rubra) and the white mulberry (Morus 

 alba) are occasionally found in the parking spaces. But their style of 

 growth, abundant fruit and irregularity of life make them unsuitable 

 for plantings of any sort upon the street. Possibly they might be used 

 in the country along the roads, but even then they would hardly warrant 

 the expense of a permanent planting. 



