24 The Ru?al Library. 



Willows ( Salix ) are very rapid-growing trees, hardy and adapted 

 to a great variety of soils and purposes. The white willow, which 

 came from Europe, is popular where large trees are wanted in a short 

 time. It is transplanted very readily, and even willow posts, if fresh, 

 driven in the ground will root and grow. The willow prefers a moist 

 soil. This and similar willows are usually not desirable for lawn trees, 

 because they drop their leaves and twigs so easily. Along water 

 courses and in low places and near springs they are often very desir- 

 able. There are many species and varieties of both upright and 

 drooping growth. A single specimen of 6'<zA';r jffai5j/(j«zhr, the common 

 weeping willow, makes a very handsome tree. The native peach 

 willow {S. amygdaloides) is one of the neatest of the native small 

 trees, and should be better known. The black willow (5. nigra ), also 

 a native, is a useful tree in low places. The willows are not adapted 

 for city streets, as the soil is usually too dry. 



Yellow wood ( Cladrastis tincioria syn. Virgilia lutea ) is one of the 

 finest of our American trees. It is a. moderate grower, with a broadly 

 rounded head, leaves of a light-green color, which turn yellow in 

 autumn. The flowers are white and appear in June in great profu- 

 sion in long, drooping recemes. It is one of our finest hardy flower- 

 ing trees, and does well in any soil or situation. 



CONIFER.E OR EVERGREENS. 



The arbor- vitEe ( Thuya) is more used as a hedge plant than for a 

 shade tree because of its small size and close, upright growth. The 

 white cedar ( T. giganiea ) a native of the northwest, often reaches a 

 hight of 150 feet, and is a graceful, stately tree, suitable for a position 

 on any large lawn. The American or western arbor- vitas {T.occideti- 

 talis) and its varieties, are more hardy than its eastern or oriental 

 neighbor ( T. orientalis) which, although a handsome, and more or- 

 namental tree, is not hardy enough for this climate. The leaves of 

 the arbor-vitae are small and scale-like and the habit of growth close, 

 compact and upright. It is useful for single specimens and wind- 

 breaks. 



Cypresses ( Cupresstis ) make elegant, large trees where they are 

 hardy, but they will not stand our severe winters. Lawson's cypress 

 ( C. Lawsoniana ) forms a very large, handsome tree in California, 



