62 
PARK AND CEMETERY. 
SHADE TREES. 
<15 
Speaking of street trees a writer in the Chicago 
Record has this to say: The value of the American 
elm for street planting is well known. Possibly the 
only objection to the elm is its comparatively slow 
growth and immense size at maturity, the latter not 
an objection truly, but frequently necessitating cut- 
ting down a tree when one not so large might re- 
main. The variety dovaei is better suited to nar- 
row streets than the American, where an elm of 
more rapid growth and not so tall at maturity is de- 
sired. This variety is a vigorous upright grower 
and rarely exceeds forty feet in height. 
In some large cities difficulty has been experi- 
enced with the blighting oi maple and elm trees, 
due partly to the coal soot in the air, which closes 
the pores of the leaves, and partly to the low depth 
at which the sewers are placed in the streets, drain- 
ing the moisture from the soil. When this blight 
is apt to occur poplars and red and white oaks 
should be planted in preference to maples and elms, 
as the foliage is less effected by blight. 
In setting trees in the street care must be taken 
that the holes are made large enough to take in the 
roots, that the soil is fairly rich and deep and that 
it is kept well loosened about the tree on a level 
with the surrounding ground for the first two or 
three years at least. Give water frequently during 
the summer and enrich the soil by spading in ma- 
nure each fall or early spring. In setting the tree 
cut off all bruised or broken roots up to the sound 
portion and cut back the top growth to correspond. 
If the top of the tree is well branched cut out thS 
smaller branches entirely and cut back the larger 
ones to within three buds of their union with the 
body of the tree. The heavier and more abundant 
the root growth the more severe should be the prun- 
ing of the top, and the reverse. 
* * * 
Mr. Noah F. Flitton, superintendent of Clifton 
Park, Baltimore, Md. , speaking of street shade 
trees for his locality says: In and around Balti- 
more, where the soil is not noted for its congenial- 
ity to arboreal growth, few varieties equal, and per- 
haps none surpass, the silver maple — Acer dasycar- 
pum. Some, however, may prefer the sugar maple 
— Acer saccharinum. Others who do not object to 
slower growth and prefer a more compact head and 
rigid outline may take the Norway maple — Acer 
platanoides. 
For the grounds of suburban residences the var- 
ieties from which one may select are so much in- 
creased as to become almost bewildering to those 
unacquainted with the subject. In addition to the 
maples mentioned are Wier’s cut-leaved — Acer, 
Wierii laciniatum, Acer heterophyllum laciniatum. 
These are varieties of Acer dasycarpum, and are 
good, vigorous growers of beautiful foliage. The 
last named was originated by Ellwanger and Barry, 
and if better known would be much more frequently 
met with, as would Wierii. The same may be said 
of Acer colchicum rubrum and Acer rubrum. Where 
a rapid growing, umbrageous tree is desirable 
or admissible Acer psuedo platanus is excellent. 
Among the birches, or Betula, is Betula alba 
laciniata, the cut-leaved weeping silver birch, which 
should be as popular as it is conspicuous. Among the 
beeches, or Fagus, is Fagus ferruginea, the Ameri- 
can beech, which deserves a place in a heavily wooded 
landscape. The fern-leaved beech is very desirable. 
The finest purple-leaved tree in cultivation is River’s 
purple-leaved beech. Among the oaks, or Quercus, 
the following varieties, if allowed abundance of 
room, make splendid trees: The white, scarlet, 
turkey, mossy cup and pin oak. The willow leaved 
and Imbricaria, or laurel-leaved, are desirable kinds. 
The American white elm is a handsome tree that 
should not be omitted. Where a weeping or droop- 
ing habit is desired, the Damperdown weeping elm 
is a beauty. 
As to Aesculus, the Aesculus hippocastanum 
and the double white-flowering variety, Aesculus 
hippocastanum, variety rubicunda, are fine. 
In evergreens, beginning with spruce, or Abies, 
there is the Norway spruce, Excelsa, the best 
known and most popular evergreen that is growm. 
Douglasii*, Morinda and Colorado Blue Spruce, are 
among the hardiest and most beautiful of all the 
spruces. Nordmann’s Silver Fir (Nordmanniana), 
European or Comb-like Silver Eir (Picea Pectinata) 
and Picea Pinsapo are hardy evergreens. For gen- 
eral planting all or any one of the above named 
trees, either deciduous or evergreen, may be se- 
lected without any misgiving as to hardihood or de- 
sirability. We would also include in this list Cryp- 
tameria Japonica. The only species with conspicu- 
ous flowers in the list is the horse chestnut. 
* * # 
The Michigan, Agricultural College suggests that 
care should be taken that the roots of the trees are 
not exposed to the action of the sun and dry winds. 
The practice of many of placing the bundles in the 
wagons and driving home without taking pains to 
cover them to prevent the drying of the roots un- 
doubtedly has caused the loss of innumerable trees. 
Wet straw and blankets should be provided for pro- 
tection, and they should be planted or heeled-in at 
once. 
