PARK AND CEMETERY 
278 
Three Types of the Elm 
On the grounds of the Michigan Agricultural Col- 
lege are a number of fine American elms. Some of 
these show splendidly the diversities of shape which 
THE PARASOL ELM. DOME-SHAPED ELM. 
this tree normally assumes. The accompanying cuts 
well illustrate three of the several types. 
Standing in the foreground of one of the views 
is a good example of the most singular of the forms of 
the elm ; namely, the feathered elm. The tree, a tall 
one, is covered from the ground to its branches, which 
occupy less than one-fourth of its height, with a dense 
growth of feathery twigs that cluster around it in 
all ways, as often growing downward as upward, and 
giving the trunk the appearance of being grown over 
with a woody vine. Elms of this type are not uncom- 
mon, but they rarely show the feathered condition as 
strikingly as does the one here set forth. The cause 
of this seemingly abnormal growth is not known. 
Usually it is assigned to a stunted growth brought 
about by disease or uncongenial soil. This tree is the 
picture of health — as thrifty as one could wish it to be. 
In the center of the other cut is an equally good 
illustration of another type, the parasol elm — neater 
and more beautiful, but not so picturesque as tha 
former. The main branches of elms of this shape 
rise almost perpendicularly for a considerable dis- 
tance and then spread out like a parasol. Were the 
branches lower and did they not spread so quickly 
after leaving the trunk we should have the vase form. 
The expression of grandeur is better e.xhibited by 
parasol elms than by any other form. Trees with 
high spreading heads have usuady grown to maturity 
in the woods, but the specimen here shown has stood 
for a half century in the open. 
Near by and to the right of the parasol elm, with 
the building for a background, is a dome-shaped elm. 
The head in this case is almost hemispherical. It is 
so formed by branches of equal size springing from 
a common point, spreading with a small angle at the 
start, but gradually opening out with a curve that 
gives the dome-like shape. This is the most common 
type for our roadside elms and for such trees as attain 
THE FEAa'HEKED ELM. 
full stature in the open. It gives more grateful shade, 
but is not so attractive to the eye as are the two 
former. W. P. Hedrick. 
Conifers in Golden Gate ParK 
A few years ago one would have been laughed at 
at if he had prophesied that trees and shrubs of vari- 
ous kinds could be made to grow where this beautiful 
park now is. At that time it was made up of scrub 
oak thickets, sand dunes, loose blowing sands and a 
few rocky hills. Today, however, under the super- 
vision of its present superintendent, John McLaren, 
it has risen to be one of the most beautiful parks in 
the world. The loose sands and sand dunes have been 
tied down with grass transplanted by hand. The 
grass was followed by Finns insignis, that wonderful 
quick growing pine of California, Finns pinaster or 
Maritima of Europe, and Acacias and Eucalyptus in 
varieties. In the shelter of these trees are now found 
trees and shrubs from all the known parts of the 
world. As the park site is exposed to the fierce winds 
direct from the ocean nearly all of the larger growing 
trees are evergreens, both Coniferas and broad leaved 
evergreens. JMr. IMcLaren has undoubtedly the 
largest collection of conifers in the park of any col- 
