PLANTING 227 



calculated or there will be great difficulty when 

 the time for thinning arrives. A very common 

 mistake is to plant rather too far apart for future 

 thinning, and the owner hesitates to remove every 

 other one for fear of leaving a scanty avenue. 



All our English trees are suitable for avenues, 

 with the exception of elms, which become treacher- 

 ous in their old age. Those most generally planted 

 are the lime and horse-chestnut as they are 

 quick growers in comparison with most forest trees. 

 Evelyn recommends the lime as "of all other, 

 the most proper and beautiful for walks, as pro- 

 ducing an upright body, smooth and even bark, 

 ample leaf, sweet blossom, the delight of bees, and 

 a goodly shade at the distance of 18 or 25 ft." 

 On the continent the lime is more used than any 

 other tree for private residences and in streets. 

 In London the plane is more seen, for it thrives 

 in towns. For long distances a treble avenue 

 looks fine. The centre line is laid for a carriage 

 drive and the outside ones make grass sides. 

 The Chateau de la Garaye in Brittany has a superb 

 treble avenue of beech trees leading to its ruins. 

 In spring and autumn these are a wonderful sight 

 and beautiful at any time. 



Avenues are absolutely out of place over un- 

 dulating ground which confuses the straight per- 

 spective. An even gradient, particularly when 

 it rises towards the house, is not amiss. Curves 

 are also out of character. Radiating avenues 



