THE PLEACHED LANE OR GREEN GALLERY 
NORMAN K. MORSE 
A Charming Feature for Garden or Estate is This Old-World Form of Arbor in 
Which the Vegetation Forms the Structure Itself as Well as its Leafy Shade 
LTHOUGH it is an old-world feature, the pleached alley 
ATy. or green gallery will, with the proper trees and the 
V~T\ proper care, produce the same beautiful effects here, 
iakiwiiy. There are indeed several examples in New England and 
on one or two estates in the South, but it is decidedly uncommon 
in America. Pleaching is the plaiting or braiding together of the 
branches of trees or shrubs; and as applied to a lane, the opera- 
tion forms a dense natural canopy over a walk 
or drive. 
As the density of the interlacing is largely 
governed by the pruning and by the natural 
habits of the trees used, the selection of the 
variety of plant is very important. Several 
things must be considered, namely — whether 
the lane is to cover a walk or drive; whether 
the ground is dry or moist; whether the trees 
must be groomed and clipped annually, or left 
alone; and finally, what the character of the 
surroundings may be. The use of the lane will 
decide whether a tree of large, medium, or low 
more rapid growth. We select, rather naturally then, such trees 
as the Plane, Linden, Elm, Birch, Norway Maple or even the 
Silver Maple. More lasting effects are possible of course with 
the Oak and Beech. 
I wo young avenues have recently been started in Pennsyl- 
vania, one at Eddington and quite an extensive one, covering 
the new public park walks near the railroad station, at Bristol. 
The former is on a private estate and it covers, 
or rather will cover, a wall$ leading from the 
mansion to a terraced Italian garden. The 
Silver-leaved Linden (Tilia argentea), is used 
here in preference to the European or other 
varieties of this tree because it has a more 
compact growth, seems to keep a better color 
during the Summer, holds its leaves longer, 
and pleaches well. In addition to these ex- 
cellent qualities, it makes fairly rapid growth 
and is seldom attacked by the borers which 
infest the other Lindens. The rows are set 
twelve feet apart and the trees spaced at about 
i < 
- c ,v*‘ 
Newly planted lane 
Plant uniformly and prune 
side branches but not thetop 
Second year- showing posts 
and wires for training 
THE ORIENTAL PLANE TREES AT BRISTOL 
PARK 
More than a mile of walks are being roofed 
with their dense green with the sides 
kept open to afford unobstructed views 
LILACS ARE EXCELLENT PLEACHING 
MATERIAL 
Those bordering this walk are not so treated 
but obviously the operation would develop 
them into a most delightful “gallery" 
year- posts removed 
Pruning every Spring will 
keep the Jane trim 
growth will be needed. The soil will determine which trees in 
any possible group must be eliminated because of decided pre- 
ferences or needs. The surroundings will largely decide the 
character of the external appearance — and this last will govern 
the pruning, while the necessity for pruning will react in the 
selection of varieties known to submit to it without detriment. 
Old gardens abroad have lanes of Elm, Lime (which is the 
same as Linden) Ash, Plane, Oak, Hornbeam, Beech, and num- 
bers of the smaller trees as well as some of the larger shrubs or 
semi-trees, such as Lilac, Hawthorne, and Privet. These will 
all pleach nicely here, although the difference in weather condi- 
tions sometimes makes it desirable to use trees which have a 
the same distance. And as the pleached Linden lane is entirely 
in keeping with the Italian architecture of the buildings and the 
design of the garden, the effect should be unusually good. The 
surrounding features are in harmony and waiting to accept this 
addition from the old-world garden. 
The planting at Bristol Park is of quite a different nature. 
Being for public use it must necessarily be on a more extensive 
scale, and has required development with a view to its practica- 
bility. A mile or more of walks border and cross the park, some 
straight, some in easy curves. I he trees are being trained to 
make a flat top. The Oriental Plane (Platanus orientalis) was 
considered the most satisfactory tree here as it pleaches well, 
