242 YARD AND GARDEN 



DISADVANTAGES OF TREE-PLANTING 



The tree should be considered as a mature 

 plant. It must not be forgotten, that, as the 

 years go by, the tree will continue to grow. It 

 will not long remain the small specimen re- 

 ceived from the nursery which, when first 

 planted, may appear to be entirely suitable for 

 the location selected. Each year will add to its 

 height and increase the spread of its branches, 

 so that, in ten years, perhaps, it may have at- 

 tained a size that unfits it for the effect de- 

 sired. Even then it may be only in its infancy, 

 requiring, for its fullest development, twenty- 

 five or fifty years more. 



This fact suggests the permanency of the 

 tree and is converted at once by the incautious 

 planter into a recommendation which more 

 than offsets any objection which may be found 

 against its use. However, a second thought 

 itiaj^ lead to the conclusion that this is not the 

 advantage it may at first sight appear to be. 

 If one is planting for future effect, if one is 

 planting the home grounds for the enjoyment 

 of one's children and one's children's children, 

 well and good, the tree's the thing. Its leafy 

 branches will cast grateful shade for them and 



