THE ROMANCE OF OUR TREES 
XI. TREES OF COLUMNAR GROWTH 
ERNEST H. WILSON 
Assistant Director, Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University 
Of Many Kinds These Tall, Slender Individuals Are Invariably Distinctive Whatever 
their Other Characteristics, and Make Valuable Contribution to Many Landscapes 
HE Lombardy Poplar and the Weeping Willow, which 
were dealt with in our last article, represent two ex- 
treme types and are the most diverse variations from 
the normal habit of tree-forms. Though the oldest 
authentically known deciduous-leafed trees of their, class, they 
are by no means unique examples. And since trees of their 
remarkable ' shape have a considerable 
•field of usefulness it may be interesting 
to enlarge upon the subject. 
If it be asked why Nature should in- 
dulge in the development of such ab- 
normal types no answer is forth-coming. 
The manner in which the peculiar branch- 
ing habit takes place can be explained, 
but what induces it and the reason why 
are mysteries. Light and gravity exercise 
diametrically opposite effects on the prim- 
ary root and primary shoot of a tree. 
The root grows away from light and to- 
ward the centre of the earth; the shoot 
contrariwise, grows toward light and 
away from the earth. The behavior of 
secondary and tertiary roots and branches 
toward light is identical with the primary 
opes, but toward gravity it is about in- 
termediate, for usually they grow more 
ot less horizontally away from the central 
aids, in the case of the roots to insure a 
bj-oad field from which to draw water and 
fcjod-salts, in that of the shoots to give a 
wide field for the leaves to intercept light 
apd air and more completely to perform 
their allotted work in the tree’s economy. 
I In the Lombardy Poplar, however, all 
the secondary and tertiary branches 
gtow erect after the manner of the prim- 
ary shoot; in the Weeping Willow the 
tertiary branches simulate the behavior 
of primary roots in that they grow down- 
ward toward the earth’s centre. Of the 
remarkable and opposite behavior of the 
branches of these two trees the most 
casual observer is cognizant; but the why 
of this phenomenon is a poser even to those 
most deeply versed in tree-lore. The 
secret has not yet been wrested from the 
living substance scientists designate pro- 
toplasm. But if it is beyond the wit of 
man to explain the cause, garden lovers 
from early times have not been backward 
in appreciating the value of such strik- 
ingly distinct forms of tree-growth for 
garden embellishment. 
Now among such Conifers of the north- 
ern Hemisphere as the Junipers, Thujas, 
Chamaecyparis and Cypresses many 
species are columnar in outline. I n some, 
especially the Thujas, the branches are 
actually ascending but in most the habit is 
i 
produced by the branches being very numerous, short and of 
equal length and radiating at a right angle. In every case these 
trees assume a different form as they grow into adults, the 
character being essentially a youthful condition even though 
in some it obtains for very many years. Some of the more 
distinct forms are perpetuated by vegetative propagation and 
wherever these and the parent forms are 
hardy they have great garden value. In 
fact the oldest cultivated tree of upright 
habit, the Italian Cypress (Cupressus 
sempervirens) belongs to this class. How- 
ever, owing to exigences of space these 
can have no further mention here. In 
some, trees both erect and pendulous 
forms are known in the same species. 
This is the case in the English Yew, the 
European Beech and Birch, and in the 
Norway Spruce; yet curiously enough 
there is no fastigiate Willow and no weep- 
ing Poplar. 
Let us consider the upright branched 
forms of tree-life typified in the Lombardy 
Poplar and known as “fastigiate trees.” 
Of such there are quite a number that 
are hardy in the colder parts of this 
country. They belong to widely sepa- 
rated families and their number is con- 
stantly being added to. Probably all 
known are seminal variations of spon- 
taneous origin and owe their preserva- 
tion to man, who has propagated them 
vegetatively by cuttings or graftings. 
In countries where raising trees from 
seeds has long been practised most of 
these fastigiate trees have been dis- 
covered. Among American species five 
only (Silver, Sugar and Red Maples, 
Tulip Tree and White Pine) have given 
rise to fastigiate trees. Of these, that of 
the Tulip Tree and of the Silver Maple 
originated in Europe and probably that 
of the Red Maple also. The other two 
owe their preservation to the Arnold 
Arboretum and take rank among the best 
of their class. 
The Fastigiate Sugar Maple (Acer 
saccharum var. monumentale) is one of 
the narrowest of all trees and is strikingly 
distinct in appearance. The branches 
are comparatively few, quite erect and 
the tree is well adapted for planting by 
the side of narrow roads. The parent 
tree was discovered in 1885 growing in a 
cemetery in Newton, Massachusetts. 
The tree in the Arboretum collection, 
which is now fifty feet tall, is a graft from 
this. 
The upright form of the Red Maple 
(A. rubrum var. columnare) was found 
A NATIVE TREE SELDOM SEEN 
The upright Sugar Maple (Acer saccha- 
rum, var. monumentale) is a very beauti- 
ful example of the sentinel type of tree 
38. 
