POMONA COLLEGE JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC BOTANY 205 



Eucalyptus saligna, "Grey Gum," up to one hundred feet, of weeping effect 

 like the "weeping willow/' leaves also willow shaped. Plant at about forty feet. 



There are also a number of species of Ficus, "rubber trees," from different 

 countries which are particularly suitable for wide avenues. 



Ficus macrophylla, "Moreton Bay Fig," is the most widely known, and it 

 makes a . magnificent tree, as one can judge from the few large specimens which 

 escaped destruction during the wonderful extension of building in our Southern 

 California cities. This should not be spaced under seventy-five to eighty feet, 

 and it should be excluded from locations subject to heavy winds which may break 

 too easily its heavily laden limbs. 



Ficus rubiginosa or australis, also from Australia, will grow not as large. It 

 has also smaller leaves, and it will stand more cold; will also stand the wind much 

 better. Plant from forty to fifty feet apart. 



Ficus bellingeri, from Queensland, appears to be a decided improvement on 

 the preceding, but there are no large enough specimens as yet to form a positive 

 j udgment. 



Ficus retusa, from India and Southern China (synonym F. nitida), is prob- 

 ably the species which has gained the widest reputation as an avenue tree. Much 

 planted at Hongkong, in Algeria and in Sicily; there used to be some fine speci- 

 mens in the center of Los Angeles, which had to give room to sky scrapers. 

 It appears not to grow as fast as F. macrophylla; its foliage is thick and somewhat 

 in the shape of the "strawberry guava." It will need good soil, plenty of moisture 

 and plenty of heat to develop in the proper way. Plant at about forty feet apart. 



Hymenosporum flavum, Queensland, up to one hundred feet; related to the 

 Pittosporums , but finer than any of them. Fast and pyramidal growing, its 

 branches slightly drooping and laden in spring with a profusion of jasmine shaped 

 and jasmine scented, yellow flowers. Not at all particular about quality of soil, 

 but not recommended for very dry places. Plant at thirty or forty feet apart. 



Pittosporum rhombifolium, Queensland, up to eighty feet high; probably the 

 tallest and the handsomest of all kinds introduced so far, not only for its very 

 regular pyramidal shape, and peculiar foliage, but also for the great profusion 

 of its yellowish white, fragrant flowers in summer, and of its shining bright yellow 

 berries which persist almost all winter. Plant at thirty or forty feet apart. 



Quercus suber, the "cork oak" of the Mediterranean basin. It has about the 

 general outline of our native live oak, but will make faster growth, and is also 

 interesting for its bark. Plant forty feet apart. 



Sterculia gregori, (Figure 81), from Western Australia; the very best of all 

 kinds of Sterculia or Brachychiton, "bottle trees," "flame trees," introduced so 

 far, the finest specimen to be seen at Alhambra. Clothed down to the ground with 

 glossy, coriaceous foliage which persists for many years, and sets out well the 

 heavy bunches of salmon colored flowers which are produced for several months. 

 May attain one hundred feet in height. Plant at forty or fifty feet. 



Pircunia dioica, Argentina, the "Ombu" of the Pampas, "Bella Sombra" of 

 the Spaniards who introduced it to Europe. In good soil will beat almost all other 

 trees for quick growth and for beautiful shade, but will also stand drought won- 



