CHAPTER III 



THE TREES OUTSIDE THE GARDEN 



T is difficult to realize, when planting trees out- 

 side the garden, that years must pass before 

 they attain their kingdom of majestic size and 

 beauty. Indeed, trees of average growth put forth 

 an annual amount which appears very slight when 

 viewed in the open with the great expanse of blue 

 above. To overcome this characteristic of slow growth 

 there is a tendency abroad to plant trees, and espe- 

 cially shrubs, very closely together, on the ground that 

 a foliage effect is desired, not for future generations, 

 but for the enjoyment of the present builder of the home 

 and garden. Before many years have passed, trees 

 thus planted begin to interfere with each other, and 

 their individual development is hindered. Many trees 

 of the dense woods and forest, when crowded closely 

 together, appear as tall, slender stems with crowns 

 but sparingly leaved; while, on the open lawn, the same 

 trees, planted singly, produce great, dome-shaped 

 crowns of stirring green. As a rule, nurserymen favor 

 a close planting of trees and shrubs outside the garden ; 

 and when their advice is followed blindly, it is usually 

 found that there must be a thinning out within a 

 comparatively short time. For the planting of shrubs 

 and trees at a small place in Greenwich on the Sound, 



[18] 



