TREES OF THE CAMBRIDGE BOTANIC GARDEN. II 



26. Betula papyrifera Marshall (Elwes and Henry, iv. 985, 

 pi. 269, fig. 5). 



This tree, though not the finest in cultivation, is sufficiently fine to 

 be mentioned by Elwes and Henry in their great work. It is said 

 to have been 47 ft. high in 1906, with a girth of 4ft. 7 in. ; in 1910 it 

 was 47 ft. 6 in. high ; and in 1914 52 ft. 9 in. high and 43 ft. 6 in. 

 through. 



It is a grafted tree. The finest tree of which we have record is 

 that in Mr. Kaufman's garden at White Knights, near Reading, which, 

 in 1914, measured 82 ft. high by 4 ft. 11 in. in girth. In America, in 

 its typical form, it attains a height of 60 or 70 ft. It spreads over a 

 vast territory in North America, and is very variable. On the alluvial 

 banks of the Fraser River it attains a height of from 100 to 120 ft. 

 As an ornamental tree in this country it is distinct, but not more 

 beautiful than the common Silver Birch. I have found no information 

 as to the value of the timber. The bark is used for making canoes, 

 drinking-utensils, and for roofing. 



27. Ailanthus glandulosa Desf. (Elwes and Henry, i. 30). Tree 

 iof Heaven. (Fig. 9.) 



This is one of the fine trees of the Cambridge Botanic Garden, but 

 probably it is in no way remarkable. There is, however, in Cambridge, 

 a remarkable tree, that in the private garden of Trinity College Lodge, 

 planted by Mrs. Hinchcliffe in 1768, one of the tiees raised from the 

 seed first sent to this country by Father dTncarville. This tree 

 in 1911 was 59J ft. high and 49 ft. through. It is now 60 ft. high 

 and 51 ft. through. The largest tree on record was at Syon House, 

 100 ft. high in 1880, but now dead. The largest tree now in England 

 is at Belton Bark, the seat of Earl Brownlow, 83 ft. high and 6 ft. 

 in girth. At Kew there^is a tree behind the Palace 73 ft. high and 

 8 ft. in girth. There is scarcely any more noble tree known, at any 

 rate for foliage. The leaves can attain a length of 4 ft. and a width 

 of 15 in. By cutting down a tree or by growing a single shoot, 

 enormous developments are easily obtained. The wood, used only 

 for firewood, is said to resemble that of the Ash in structure, but it 

 is certainly very brittle ; by its distinct bark it can easily be recognized. 

 The Silk Moth, Attacus cynthia Drury, feeds upon the leaves of this 

 tree. It was introduced to France, but all were killed in the winter 

 of 1879. The tree itself is perfectly hardy, and it is one of the most 

 select for planting in public places for shade. It is native of Northern 

 China. 



28. Crataegus tanacetifolia Pers. (Syn. ii. 38). (Fig. 10.) 



A tree of this very distinct Levantine Thorn, 25 ft. high four years 

 ago, and still of the same height, has been considered a fine specimen, 

 and attention may therefore be drawn to it. It has ceased to increase 

 in height because all the points of growth have become spurs producing 

 flowers and fruit. Few species are more distinct. It forms a robust 

 tree, with upright, rigid branches. The leaves are pinnatifidly cut, and 



