48 



The Canadian Horhcui/iurist. 



Jb(c (^apclei) ai)d I^aLci). 



WEEPING TREES. 



'LANTlN(i tlicsc with a niggardly hand is, after all, not what is 

 wanted, that is, if we are to derive pleasure from their presence in 

 combination with the g;eneral run of our park and woodland trees. 

 .Single specimens dotted about here and there, and planted ever so 

 wisely, are by no means to be compared with those clumped or 

 massed in threes or fives, and at irregular distances apart, a fact the 

 the truth of which dawned forcibly upon me when visiting a well-managed and 

 well-planted estate in the south of England. 



Generally, as seen, weeping trees, like those of upright, habit are planted 

 singly, perhaps in appropriate enough situation.s, but in such a way as to give 

 one the idea that the planter had this rigidly before him, that such a class of 

 trees spoils the landscape, and requires to be very carefully dealt with and in 

 unusually small numbers. Such ideas may have done well enough for the old 

 school of planters, but now-a-days hard and fast lines are not tolerated, and the 

 departures from the strict routine of century-old ideas are nowhere more preva- 

 lent than in matters connected with trees and shrut)s, their [)lanting and after 

 management. 



A group of the Weeping Willow, some eight or nine in number, planted in 

 no cramped or confined spaces, by the side of a fair sized lake has a most pleas- 

 ing and effective appearance, but they are planted far from any other trees and 

 shrubs, and on the gently sloping grassy banks thus, I fancy, adding much to their 

 charm and beauty. No single specimen of the same tree could have produced 

 such an effect as this clump, which covered nearly a (]uarter of an acre, but yet did 

 not look out of place, the size and outline of the grounds being boldly laid out and 

 (|uite in keeping with the broad sheet of water. Within sight ofthe.se, but several 

 hundred yards away, a mass of the red-stemmed Dogwood (juite enlivened the end 

 of the lake ; while in a recess, where the margin of a plantation came nearly down 

 to the water-side, were three fine old trees of the Hemlock Spruce, or rather what 

 to me appeared to be a weeping form of this Canadian Conifer. These with their 

 rich background of Scotch Firs had a truly imposing appearance, the long, cord- 

 like twigs hanging gracefully down for more than a couple of feet. Even at 

 their advanced size and age the trees were by no means cramped for room, 

 although when viewed from the oi)posite side of the lake the trio seemed as if 

 but one gigantic specimen. For small places such a method of planting would 

 never do ; although, even then, it is wise policy to have only a few well laid out 

 dumps in preference to single specimens dotted about here and there, and 

 which latter are hard to place so that they may lot)k well and be in keeping with 

 their surroundings. 



