PLANTING 221 



besides their requirements for healthy growth. 

 The necessity for knowing a tree's ultimate 

 development is obvious, and has already been 

 sufficiently referred to. 



The shape of a tree has a distinct bearing on 

 its fitness for certain situations, and it is interesting 

 to note how every tree has a typical contour when 

 in full leaf, which gives its silhouette a character 

 distinct from others. Some are globular, such as 

 oak and sycamore, some are oval, as the lime ; 

 others are triangular in outline, from a broad 

 base as the horse-chestnut, narrower in the spruce, 

 and still less in the larch. Tall slim trees, of which 

 the Lombardy poplar may be taken as the extreme 

 type, are admirably suited to levels. (Diagrams 

 82, 83.) Their extensive use is a common remark 

 of travellers in the flat parts of northern France. 

 Indeed, some people complain they are monoton- 

 ous, but what tree could be suggested as a better 

 substitute ? Hobbema's well-known painting of 

 the poplar avenue shows how picturesque a feature 

 they are. When used alone a Lombardy acts as 

 an exclamation mark in a landscape, and must be 

 used sparingly. Its effect may also be compared 

 to that of a steeple rising among trees or houses. 

 One is effective, but several counteract each other. 



Round headed trees suggest solidity, and suit 

 with gently undulating ground ; on the mild 

 slopes of the Weald their value is seen to per- 

 fection. Drooping or weeping trees are lovely by 



