ORNAMENTAL PLANTING OF TREES AND SHRUBS 79 



CHAPTER VI 



ORNAMENTAL PLANTING OF TREES AND SHRUBS 



Although the drives, walks and topography contribute much 

 toward the general effect of the home grounds, it is upon the embel- 

 lishment of the whole, through the proper selection and arrange- 

 ment of the ornamental plantings, that we depend for the picturesque 

 beauty and grace of the lawn. 



THE BACKGROUND FOR THE HOUSE 



A first consideration is a good background for the house and, 

 where one does not already exist, plantations of trees should be 

 located that will give this effect as quickly as possible. In such 

 plantings it is advisable to set more trees than will be needed 

 eventually, the principle being that trees planted close together 

 encourage a greater top growth and thus attain height more quickly 

 than trees given ample space for development; in the latter instance 

 much of the strength going toward lateral growth. 



The Tulip Poplar {Liriodendron tulipifera) is a rapid growing 

 tree with all the needed qualities for a background planting. Under 

 favorable conditions the Tulip Poplar will reach a height of one 

 hundred or more feet. The foliage, rich and glossy, the attractively 

 lobed leaves, the large, tulip-like green and yellow flowers, and a 

 straight, towering main stem are all attributes of this grand tree. 

 If this tree is used it should be set well back from the house line, as 

 the branches spread to such an extent and rise to such a height 

 that they will form a most pleasing canopy over any smaller and 

 slower growing trees which may be planted between it and the 

 residence. • 



Other good trees for background planting are Red Oak (Quercus 

 rubra), American Elm ( Uhnus americana) and Sugar Maple {Acer 

 saccharum). These trees are all so well known that a brief descrip- 

 tion will suffice. The Oak is, indeed, a majestic tree and well suited 

 to any landscape subject. Downing sums up its chief characteris- 

 tics in these few sentences: "There is a breadth about the lights 



