DESCRIPTION OF TREES SUITABLE FOR PLANTING. 53 



American Linden and White Linden (Tilia americana and Tilia 

 heterophylla) . — There are several species of linden which are adapted for 

 street planting. All have nearly similar foliage, the same general charac- 

 ter of branching and forming the crown and attain in cultivation about 

 the same proportions. The two native species which are available are the 

 American and White lindens, both natives of this State and both easily 

 secured from nurserymen. They are quite similar except in the color and 

 size of their foliage, which in the American linden is smaller and bright- 

 green beneath; while that of the White linden is more ample, thicker and 

 of a silvery whiteness below. 



In cultivation the native lindens attain a height of 30 to -15 feet, mak- 

 ing rapid growth, especially in youth, which is well maintained to a con- 

 siderable age. They are rather exacting as to soil and do best on loose 

 moist loams abundantly supplied with organic matter and furnishing 

 copious root space. The trunk, covered with thin, light gray, slightly fur- 

 rowed bark, divides at a. low height into many erect and ascending 

 branches, forming an oval or in old age a broadly oval crown. The leaves, 

 differing slightly in the two species, appear late in spring, form a dense 

 canopy, and turning dull yellow or brown, fall early in autumn. The 

 large, pendulous clusters of fragrant flowers, appear late in May or early 

 June and are succeeded by the dry berry-like fruit appended to narrow 

 leaf -like bracts which often remain on the twigs until late in winter. The 

 branchlets divide into many stout, gracefully curved twigs. 



The lindens endure pruning extremely well and over large crowns can 

 be heavily topped. While the wood is soft, it is elastic and not badly 

 broken by storms. It decays easily and wounds must be promptly pro- 

 tected. Forest pulled specimens sun scald. 



The root system is shallow but finely divided. Broken roots are freely 

 replaced and transplanting of even large trees is successfully accom- 

 plished. Young plants can be abundantly secured from seed but must be 

 protected by lattice-shade until two years old. On account of the rapidity 

 of their growth, the ease with which they recuperate from heavy pruning 

 and with which they can be transplanted, their freedom from disease, 

 dense foliage and symmetrical crown, the lindens are among the most de- 

 sirable shade trees. Trees should be spaced 40 feet. 



The European Silver Linden (Tilia argentea), a tree of the old 

 world carried in stock by most nurserymen, has the same general charac- 

 ters as the native species, but is more desirable in several particulars. 

 The ramification of the twigs is more numerous and the twigs themselves 

 are more slender, flexuous and delicate. The crown is more compact and 

 the twigs spread horizontally from the ascending branches which gives a 



'■'- 



