84 PRACTICAL LANDSCAPE GARDENING 



are its chief attributes: Rapid growth, neat tapering head, un- 

 usual grayish bark, immunity from insects, beautiful leaves re- 

 sembling greatly in form the leaves of the Maidenhair fern, and 

 long life. The form and outlme harmonize exceedingly well with 

 buildmgs. The European Larch (Fig. 79) is a cone-bearmg tree 

 and belongs to the Pine family. It is not an evergreen, however, 

 as it sheds its leaves in the Fall as do the deciduous trees. Perhaps 

 its greatest charm is the picturesque appearance of even young 

 trees. It has such an expression of boldness and freedom that, 

 planted near the house, this effect must be relieved somewhat 

 by grouping it with smaller harmonious trees, such as the 

 White or Pink Dogwood (Fig. 3). The Lombardy Poplar in large 

 quantities (Fig. 2) should be introduced only on large estates 

 and to frame great houses. When planted near moderately sized 

 dwellings the great height, often attained very quickly, is over- 

 whelming. 



When perpendicular hues predoininate in the building the trees 

 planted- close to it should be of a spreading character unless for 

 some particular reason the perpendicular lines are to be accentuated. 

 We have a great variety of such trees to choose from. If the house 

 is large the Red Oak, White Oak. Elm, Cedrela, Sugar Maple and 

 Ash are equally good. The Cedrela (Fig. 80) is a Chinese tree re- 

 sembling the Ailanthus, but without its objectionable features. 

 It is rapid growing and generally desirable. Near medium or small 

 houses the Scarlet Maple, Sweet Gum, European Linden, Yellow 

 Wood and Oregon Maple all ha\e the needed characteristics. The 

 Oregon Maple is uncommon and should be more frequently planted. 

 It somewhat resembles the Sycamore Maple, but is a more robust 

 grower; it has a large, handsome, dark green leaf. 



BASE PLANTINGS 



Houses which set close to the ground should have no planting at 

 the base. The turf should extend up to the lines of the porches or 

 paved terrace, with group plantings at the corners. 



Where the floor line is just enough above grade to admit of base 

 plantings use plants dwarf in character (Fig. 81), with larger grow- 

 ing varieties at the corners and in the blank wall spaces between 

 windows. An error to a\'oid is the planting of anything in front 

 of window openings that will attain a height great enough to inter- 

 fere with the light. 



