38 SHADE-TREES IN TOWNS AND CITIES 



(Tilia argentea), the Crimean, or yellow-twigged linden 

 ( Tilia dasystyla) , and the large-leaved European linden ( Tilia 

 platyphylla). Tilia dasystyla is one of the best varieties for 

 street-planting. The leaves are leathery and tough, and re- 

 main green until a hard frost, then they fall at one time. 



THE ELMS 



White or American Elm {Ulmus americana Linn.). — 

 Standing absolutely alone for its especial kind of beauty, the 

 white elm is deservedly the most familiar and popular of our 

 native trees. No other tree combines such strength with so 

 much grace. It is the striking ornament of New England 

 landscapes, and in many towns the white elm is the predom- 

 inant tree. New Haven has attained national fame as the 

 Elm City. 



At all seasons of the year the elm is beautiful. In sum- 

 mer it rises like a great fountain of brilliant green, and 

 in winter the detail of the arching limbs and pendulous 

 branches stands out in relief against the sky. The white 

 elm is one of the first trees to blossom in the spring. As 

 early as the latter part of February, or the early part of 

 March, the flower-buds begin to swell, and shortly afterward 

 the small reddish-brown blossoms appear, so tiny that they 

 frequently pass unnoticed. The fruit of the elm, or samara, 

 as it is called, matures in May, when the leaves unfold. 



Flat, oval-shaped wings, about half an inch long, sur- 

 round the small seeds and help the wind to scatter them 

 from the parent tree. The leaves of the white elm are 

 unequal at the base, are rough above and downy beneath. 

 In autumn they turn a brown or golden yellow. 



Considered from the standpoint of adaptability for street- 

 planting, it has been found that in spite of the natural 



