NOTABLE TREES 
193 
Just inside Kew Palace gates, on a mound to the left, there stands 
what remains of a once magnificent lime. In its prime it was de- 
_ . scribed as of singular beauty and great height. Under 
IGngs ime children of George III. used to sit “and 
' , , . pursue their youthful studies.” The King’s Lime was 
vulgaris )♦ J 0 
wrecked in the storm of January 27th, 1901, and 
nothing exists now but a portion of the trunk, from one part of 
which a vigorous young growth has sprung. 
Among the veterans of 1762 that still remain near the Sun 
Temple is a specimen of the North American Locust tree. Now past 
its best, it still is cherished as a historical curiosity. 
The Robinia is one of the most elegant of large trees, 
especially in regard to foliage, but it has never ful- 
filled the expectations once entertained as to its value 
as a timber tree in Great Britain. 
Entering the Rhododendron Dell from the north end, the visitor is 
struck by an enormous specimen of the London Plane 
growing on the right-hand side. It is the common tree 
of the streets of London, seen in its full glory. This 
particular tree was praised and admired by Richard 
Jefferies in his “Nature near London.” 
Although a hybrid between two foreign species, the Lucombe 
Oak is of English origin. It was raised at Exeter in 1762, and its 
parents are the cork oak and the Turkey oak. It 
often retains its leaves throughout the winter. A 
fine example grows on the south side of the Sion 
Vista, between the Lake and the Palm Llouse. It 
has a finely-proportioned head of branches supported on a trunk 
12 feet in circumference. 
Locust Tree 
Robinia 
Pseudacacia). 
London Plane 
(. Plaianus 
aceri folia). 
Lucombe Oak 
{Quercus 
Lucombeana). 
“Captain of the Western wood, 
Thou that apest Robin Hood, 
Green above thy scarlet hose 
How thy velvet mantle shows.” 
So Bret Harte apostrophises the Madrono of California, comparing 
Madrono & reen ^ eac ^ °f foliage and red branches with the 
/ . , . traditional green doublet and red hose of the outlaw. 
{Arbutus t,, 0 , , , . , , T _ . . 
Menziesii) Ih ere 1S an old specimen of it at Kew on the north 
side of the Broad Walk. Its bark is perfectly smooth 
and cinnamon-coloured, except at the forks, where are curious, rough, 
