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The karaka, a New Zealand tree, a beautiful dark, glossy-leaved species with 
orange-coloured fruits, has proved very desirable for the coast districts at no great 
distance from the sea. Not that it is restricted to such situations by any means, for 
the New Zealand laurel, as it is often called, has shown itself very tolerant to various 
soils and climates in New South Wales. It will stand much cold. Its botanical name 
is Corynocarpus Icevigatm. 
The weeping fig (Ficus Benjaminea) is singled out as one of the most beautiful 
of all figs for the warmer coast strip. 
The India-rubber fig (Ficus elastica) is a beautiful species, grows fairly in Sydney, 
but it does not grow as rampantly as it may be confidently expected to do on the Lower 
Clarence, Richmond, and Tweed. It ought to be grown much more commonly than it is. 
The larger white Magnolia (M. gmndiflora) is as handsome as a fig with its rich 
polished leaves. Its glory is its very large white, sweetly perfumed flowers. It must 
have a damp situation and shelter, and given these is tolerant to a fair amount of cold. 
Of course, it simply revels in the coast districts. 
The olive tree (Olea europea) I have less to say about, since it flourishes best 
in calcareous soils, which are an exception in this State. At the same time it does 
fairly well in our coast districts, and should be more planted. The olive is commonly 
propagated by thick, longish pieces of the stem, known as truncheons. 
Of the evergreen oaks (Quercus) we may mention Q. cegilops, the Valonia Oak, 
which by the way, is semi-deciduous with us. It is a beautiful species, best known for 
the acorn cups, which yield the valuable tanning material called valonia. It flourishes 
in moist places cooler than Sydney, and every encouragement should be given it. 
The holly oak (Q. ilex) of South Europe is known to us in more than one variety, 
and does well in many parts of New South Wales, especially near the coast. It is 
really very valuable, and can be thoroughly recommended. An allied tree is Q. virens, 
the live or evergreen oak of North America. It and Q. ilex are grand trees, and cannot 
be too much planted. They grow in much the same situation. If it be desired to see 
in what poor soil accompanied by trying winds it will grow and form a handsome tree, 
look at the large number of them in Centennial Park, Sydney, and how well they do. 
The valuable cork oak (Q. suber) of South Europe is a handsome tree, and flourishes 
in the coastal districts. Its bark, of course, yields the cork of commerce. 
Another valuable evergreen is the tree we know as pepper tree (Schinus molle) 
a native of North and South America, from Mexico to Chili. It is a graceful umbrageous 
tree, and a very great merit is that it is hardy in most parts of the State, revelling in 
the coast districts, standing a good deal of cold, and even advancing far into the interior. 
Deciduous Trees. We now come to the deciduous trees, and the world is divided 
into two classes of people, the advocates of evergreens and of deciduous trees. There 
is much to be said for deciduous trees in towns. We have the beautiful spectacle of 
their unfolding leaf buds, then the abundance of their shady foliage, and finally we 
have the bare branches at a time when the sun has least power, and the streets require 
all the light they can obtain. 
