355 
PARK AND CEMETERY 
A Dying Race of Trees. 
The sycamore, once flourishing over the entire con- 
tinents of Europe and America, is now confined to a 
comparatively small part of the United States. It is 
found north as far as middle Michigan, south to 
Florida and west to Nebraska. From Europe it has 
entirely disappeared and in Amer- 
ica it is now slowly hut surely 
vielding to the same disease that 
caused its destruction in the other 
continent. 
This disease takes the form of a 
fungus growth which destroys the 
first leaves of the growing shoot. 
Its presence may be detected by 
the appearance of small black 
spots. Soon after the leaves 
shrivel and fall. Unless some ef- 
fective remedv be found the fate 
of the sycamore is sealed. 
And this is a great pity, too, 
for while it is not a beautiful tree, 
it is certainly picturesque and 
unique in some respects. The 
sycamore is not satisfied like other 
trees with the mere shedding of 
its leaves, but sheds its bark as 
well, in great irregular flakes. 
The exposed surface is a rather 
attractive motley in color of gray 
and brown, later becoming whit- 
ish. Another peculiarity is the ir- 
regular or devil-may-care way 
in which the branches and branch- 
lets wander off. But when in fol- 
iage this idiosyncrasy helps to add 
to the tree’s attractions by giving 
it a light and airy eff'ect that is 
very pleasing. 
The sycamore bears transplant- 
ing remarkably well. It is very 
adaptable to city conditions and 
for that reason as well as for its 
shading ciualities, it is a favorite 
for city and town parks. 
The specimen in the accom- 
panying illustration is in Irociuois 
Park, Louisville, Ky. It gives a 
good idea of the pleasing pictur- 
esqueness of the tree. In size it 
is above the average, being in the 
neighborhood of ninety feet high, 
the usual sycamore being only 
about sixty feet. It affords, 
also, a striking example of 
the occasional growth of the sycamore in groups. 
Though in reality three separate trees, they join at 
the base in such a way as to give the impression of 
rising from common roots. 
.M. C. L. 
SYCAMORES IN CHEROKEE PARK, LOUISVILLE, KY. 
