DECIDUOUS TREES. 
425 
ever, says of the common swamp alder, Alnus glauca : “We hardly 
know a more charming plant in winter, when covered with its 
bright scarlet berries, especially when placed against hemlocks or 
other evergreens.” Loudon says of it : “This is one of the most 
beautiful trees of the genus.” From these differences of opinion, 
among persons of such eminent taste, may we not infer that, though 
beautiful, as Mr. Sargent claims, in winter, its beauty at other sea- 
sons is not sufficient to give it marked value compared with other 
trees of similar size and better qualities? We have seen them 
principally as bushes growing in swampy places by the road-side, 
where they form dense globular shrubs, with glossy foliage, some- 
what sombre. Most of the alders are addicted to damp ground. 
The foreign species are held in higher esteem than our own. 
The following are the most esteemed varieties : 
The Common English Alder, A. 
glutinosoy has many varieties. 
The Cut-leaved Alder, A. ladniata, 
is one of the finest. Fig. 137 is a por- 
trait of a fine English specimen. It be- 
comes a spreading pyramidal tree from 
fifty to sixty feet high. The foliage is 
fern -like. 
The Imperial Cut-leaved Alder, 
A. laciniata^ is another variety, said to be 
of still more vigorous habit. 
The Golden Alder, A. gliitinoso 
aiirea^ is a sport of the common alder, 
foliage, and highly recommended in England and France. 
The Heart-leaved Alder, A. cordifolia^ Sargent alludes to 
as “a large tree, native of Calabria, with large, deep-green, shining 
leaves, rather broad, heart-shaped,” which grows rapidly, and 
which he has found hardy at Fishkill, on the Hudson. Loudon 
says of it: “A large, handsome, round-headed tree. Height from 
fifteen to twenty feet. It grows with rapidity in a dry soil, and is 
one of the most interesting ornamental trees that have of late years 
been introduced.” By large Loudon evidently means large among 
Fig. 137. 
of brilliant and singular 
