450 SHADE TREES 



this purpose. Large leaves and heavy dangerous fruits are obviously 

 characters which disqualify for planting in public thoroughfares. 

 The ideal tree for this should have, in addition to being evergreen 

 and of an upright spreading habit, light thin foliage, with the 

 leaves closing up at night or in dull cloudy weather. Probably 

 the Inga Saman or Rain Tree approaches most closely these 

 requirements. It is a handsome tree when well-grown, being 

 adapted to a fairly wide range of climate, and incidentally its 

 nutritious sugary pods form an excellent cattle-food. The planting 

 and preservation of suitable shade trees for road-sides being of 

 great importance to the public, the writer would suggest the 

 adoption of certain recognised rules, such as the following, for 

 their proper planting and maintenance : 



(a) Proper holes (from 2 to 3 ft. deep, by as much in diameter, and 

 | filled with good soil) to be prepared before planting. 



(b) Where possible, holes to be well behind the side-drains and not in 

 the margin of the road ; the distance from the road should be from 

 8 to 10 feet, according to circumstances. 



(c) The plants to be well-established in bamboo-pots or plant-baskets 

 before being planted out. 



(d) Planting out should, as far as possible, be done at the commence- 

 ment, not at the end, of the rainy seasons. 



(e) The distances for planting apart in the first place may be from 25 

 to 30 feet (according to species of tree), every alternate tree being 

 cut out later, if necessary, as it fills its allotted space or encroaches 

 on its neighbour. 



(f) Proper protection must be provided against cattle, &c., either col- 

 lectively or individually by means of tree-guards or fence, until the 

 trees are sufficiently established to take care of themselves. 



(g) The injudicious cutting of branches, or interference with the growth 

 and proper form of trees in public thoroughfares, should be con- 

 sidered an act punishable by law. 



(h) The building of houses, huts or shanties too close to the trees should 

 be prohibited. 



SHADE TREES SUITED FOR THE MOIST 

 LOW-COUNTRY. 



[Elevations below 2,000 ft. with average annual rainfall of 70 in. or more]. 



FOR ROAD-SIDES : 



[S.=SINHALESE ; r.=Tamil]. 



Canarium commune. Java Almond; "Rata-kekuna" S. A large Malayan tree. 

 See under Tropical Fruits. 



Filicium decipiens. "Pehimbiya" S. " Katu-puwarasa " T. An elegant evergreen 

 tree, 50 to 70 ft. high. See Ornamental Foliage Trees. 



