Street and Shade Trees. -lil 



In certain sections of every town the poplars are still the popular 

 trees. All are easily propagated, grow very fast, sell very cheap, 

 endure the most careless transplanting, and thrive in spite of neglect 

 or abuse. But for ordinary streets they are likely to become too 

 large and their life is short. The Lombardy poplar, though a foreign 

 tree and not quite suited to our climate, is the most commonly planted. 

 Its trim, erect habit adapts it to narrow ztreets, and if need be it bears 

 well the most savage lopping of its branches. Where they have 

 ample room to grow to full size, abele or silver-leaved poplar, the 

 balsam and the cottonwoodlook well, and their smooth, glossy foliage 

 is a special attraction. 



Bu^orJoliaga_effect-the_filiest_tr.ees_are JJie^ tulj.p_ aiid-_the_£lane^ 

 In their native haunts no other deciduous tree equals them in size or 

 dignity. Fine examples of each are occasionally seen in our streets, 

 but general experience seems to condemn them. The soft roots of 

 the tulip tree make it impatient of careless transplanting unless very 

 young, and protection from severe frosts is necessary in clay soils 

 until the roots get below the frost line. But once well established in 

 any favorable soil and subsoil, it becomes a noble street, tree, well 

 worth any extra care bestowed upon it. ^ 



The plane tree is as easily transplanted as any maple, and if in 

 good soil its growth for many years is as rapid as that of any poplar 

 or willow. But mature trees are so subject to serious fungous blight, 

 that a healthy clean-branched tree is rarely seen. Strangely enough, 

 it thrives well in European cities, withstanding the effects of smoke 

 better than any other tree. In spite of these defects, both tulip and 

 plane deserve persistent trial and experiment. 



Fifty years ago, during the silk-worm craze, the Chinese ailanthus 

 was extensively planted in the eastern cities. Its rank growth, sub- 

 tropical aspect, exemption from insects, and its fresh foliage in spite 

 of prolonged heat or drouth, made it very popular- Then came a 

 strange reaction, so strong that the tree is virtually tabooed, all ap- 

 parently because the flowers have an unpleasant odor. This odor 

 has not a wide range, and it cannot be offensive to many people. 

 Planted in ornamental grounds or near cultivated fields, the tree 

 multiplies so fast, both by seeding and by suckering, that it is often a 

 veritable nuisance. But no tree has withstood so persistently the 



