62 STEEET AND HIGHWAY PLANTING. 



A very good specimen of the English oak (Quercus pedunculata) 

 was noted in Santa Barbara. Perhaps there are others of this species 

 through the south. Investigation of its occurrence might lead to 

 its use. 



The cork oak (Quercus suber) is a fine tree resembling from a 

 popular view point the live oak as to foliage, except that the foliage 

 is more contracted, giving a convex shape to the leaf. The most curious 

 point, however, is the growth of cork in the bark, so that the trunk is 

 covered with large fold-like corky excrescences. 



This tree needs rather more water than the live oak, and when this 

 demand can be satisfied, it will make a growth that will satisfy many, 

 even those prejudiced against the oaks for street work. 



The interior live oak (Quercus wislizenii) (Fig. 35) corresponds 

 very closely in most characteristics to the coast live oak (Quercus 

 agri folia). It is better for use in the interior valleys because it can 

 stand the extremes of heat more easily than the other coastal species. 



THE LOCUSTS. 



The common black locust (Robinia pseudacacia} is of course the 

 species most in evidence. This is a tree which certainly deserves a 

 place, but it should be kept in its place. The great objection to it is 

 its habit of suckering. This propensity seems to vary greatly, as there 

 are often noted blocks where there are no suckers and other trees 

 under apparently the same condition which are suckering more or less 

 freely. Often where mutilation has come to the butt of the tree or 

 to large roots just below the surface, many suckers will arise, but often 

 there would seem no excuse for their appearance. Again, on very 

 dry gravelly soil they seem to be more abundant, but not always. 



This ability to grow and do well in poor and especially in gravelly 

 soil is one of the strong points in favor of the locust. In circumstances 

 which would stunt any other species, the locust can be found many 

 times in a nourishing condition. It also endures considerable heat 

 and drought. 



It is a deciduous tree, often assuming at maturity the vase-like form 

 characteristic of the white elm. The leaves are compound and the 

 flowers which are white, fragrant and pea-shaped, are borne in droop- 

 ing panicles appearing in the spring, shortly after the leaves. 



There is a form (Robinia pseudacacia rosea) which has flowers of a 

 delicate pink tint. This is perhaps a trifle less vigorous than the type. 

 It can be found planted on the parkings in many places in San Jose. 



A species, Eobinia Bessoniana, has been very highly recommended 

 and has been noted in a few instances. Here the style of growth is 

 quite different, being dwarf -like and giving a low rounded head. 



