80 PRACTICAL LANDSCAPE GARDEXING 



and shadows reflected and embosomed in its foliage, a singular free- 

 dom and boldness in its outline and a pleasing richness and in- 

 tricacy in its huge ramifications of branch and limb that render it 

 highly adapted to landscape purposes." The Elm, while lacking 

 something of the stateliness of the Tulip Poplar or the majesty of 

 the Oak, outrivals them both in grace and elegance. The com- 

 paratively slender branches form into long, graceful curves until, 

 in old trees, the light and airy foliage often sweeps the ground. 

 The Elm should only be used when small groups are required. These 

 trees, as a rule, are so similar in form as to be monotonous when 

 planted together in large numbers. The Maple is valued for the 

 rapidity of its growth, although it, too, has fine form and foliage. 

 The Autumn coloring of the Sugar Maple, a beautiful, bright yellow, 

 red and orange, is not equaled in any other tree. 



FRAMING THE HOUSE 



In addition to a suitable background it is essential that the resi- 

 dence be properly framed by plantations at both ends (Fig. 77). 

 The size and character of this framework will depend largely on 

 the architectural style and the dimensions of the house. For small 

 houses, often one specimen tree, placed at each end, is quite suf- 

 ficient. These lines from Milton will convey the picture of such 

 a frame much better than a lengthy paragraph: 



" Hard by, a cottage chimney smokes 

 From between two aged Oaks." 



Houses built on a larger scale may require groupings. It is not 

 always necessary nor advisable to plant the trees directl)' at the 

 ends of the building. Usually a position forward of the front line 

 gives a better effect. 



TREES FOR FRAMING THE HOUSE 



Where horizontal lines prevail in the general architectural 

 'scheme trees of a p}-ramidal tj^e should be used. The Ginkgo 

 (Salisburia adiantijolia), European Larch (Larix eiiropaea) and 

 Lombardy Poplar {Populus fastigiata) are good examples of such 

 trees. The Ginkgo (Fig. 78) occasionally assumes a broad, spread- 

 ing top, but this type is so infrequently met with that it may be, 

 for all purposes, classed and used as a pyramidal tree. For plant- 

 ing near the house it is in a class alone and apart. Briefly, these 



