36 The Rural Library. 



season, but later it is often much preyed upon by caterpillars. In a 

 dry autuQin it blisters readily and is sometimes shed prematurely. 

 Usually its shade is too deep for any greensward, and its formal outline 

 is rarely relieved by any grace of form. The Ohio buckeye is not 

 much used compared with the foreign species, probably because its 

 flowers are not so showy, but its average habit is as good and its 

 foliage is better. 



Both the European and the American lindens have been extensively 

 planted, especially the former, though inferior in every respect except 

 the fragrance of its flowers. Both do well where the soil is deep and 

 moist and the atmosphere clear. But usually the growth looks stunted 

 and the foliage is more ravaged by caterpillars than any other tree. 



The white ash and the European ash are occasionally seen in good 

 condition, but all the other species of ash are fit only for swamps. 

 Their fibrous roots lie too near the surface, and require too much 

 breadth of space. 



The beech has similar faults, with the additional defects that its 

 early growth is slow and it requires extra care in transplanting. The 

 European beech is equally disappointing while young, but in good 

 soil its roots do not spread so near to the surface, and good street 

 trees of this species are sometimes seen. But like the purple-leaved 

 and the weeping forms, it is better suited to private grounds. 



Walnut, butternut, chestnut and every species of hickory are all 

 handsome trees of good size, but rarely seen in any street except in 

 village roadsides. All require to be transplanted while so young and 

 small that their protection until well established is very difficult. 

 Even if success be finally attained, they will be seriously damaged 

 every fall when they come into bearing, and so their doom is fixed. 



Oaks require the same early transplanting and extra care for along 

 time. But in any city where they can be securely protected until of 

 good size, they endure the ordinary street conditions as well as elms 

 or maples. Once well established a black, red, or scarlet oak will 

 grow as fast as the average of other street trees. The habit is always 

 good, pruning or thinning of the branches is rarely necessary, and the 

 glossy foliage is a special attraction all through the season. The 

 European oaks and our white oak make good street trees if well 

 guarded during their tender years, but their growth is rather slower. 



