CUPRESSUS MACROCARPA 
HI 
3 
which it thrives best, but it has no antipathy to lime. As to the rate of growth of this tree some 
inferences may be drawn from the following particulars taken from the volumes of the Gardeners 
Chronicle. In 1857, Dr. Lindley gave the dimensions of two specimens planted in his own garden 
at Acton nine years previously, as 24 feet in height, by 9 feet 6 inches through, and as 23 feet 6 inches 
in height by 7 feet through respectively. The height when planted is not recorded. In the same year 
a record was published of a C. Lambertiana planted at Lynn, in Norfolk, in 1849, when 2 feet high, 
which had attained (1857) a height of 12 feet. At Gunnersbury (Middlesex), a tree was found to 
* 1 * / 
be 26 feet high and 18 feet through. At Blenheim in i860 a tree of C. Lambertiana had attained a 
height of 25 feet. In the same year (i860), trees of the species were recorded as having attained a 
height of 20 feet at Dysart, Fifeshire, and in the Edinburgh Botanic Garden, and of 30 feet at Wat- 
combe (Somerset). In 1867 C. macrocarpa was stated to have reached a height of 48 feet at Bishopstoke 
(Hampshire). At Hermosa (Devon) in 1869 the measurements of C. Lambertiana were given as follows : 
trunk 36 feet high, girth at 3 feet from the ground 4 feet 6 inches, diameter of head 33 feet, circumference 
of branches 90 feet. A specimen of C. macrocarpa at the same place, planted about 11 years, was noted to 
be 32 feet in height (fully 6 feet of the top having been taken off), circumference of branches at 3 feet from 
the ground 63 feet, girth of trunk 4 feet. At Bicton, C. macrocarpa is noted to have reached a height of 
57 feet with a girth of 5 feet, the branches being 28 feet through. At Boconnoc (Cornwall), a tree of 
C. macrocarpa was found in 1869 to have attained a height of 29 feet 4 inches. Other records might be 
cited, but as they are for the most part defective in some particulars it is not necessary to advert to them. 
Mr. Fowler’s observations, however, with reference to this species demand further notice. Writing 
in 1872, Mr. Fowler says “ that two plants were put out in 1847, in the park at Castle Kennedy, Stranraer, 
the one under the name of C. macrocarpa , the other under that of C. Lambertiana. C. macrocarpa is now 
35 feet high, with a bole 2 feet from the ground 3 ft. 8 in. in circumference, shewing extraordinary health, 
and vigour; it has a pyramidal form, with a small spread of branches in proportion to its height.” The 
same tree, when measured in 1883, was found to be 50 ft. 6 in. in height; the circumference of the bole 
at 4 feet from the ground being 6 ft. 2 in. The colour of the tree, as looked at from a short distance, 
is of a greyish green. This description applies to a large number of C. macrocarpa planted at various 
periods; most of them differing only in having a greater spread of the lower branches than the large plant. 
The plant, under the name of C. Lambertiana , was in 1872 upwards of 20 feet in height, with a bole 
about the same dimensions as those of C. macrocarpa, divided into numerous branches a few feet 
above the ground, the branches spreading and forming a head somewhat flat, like a very old Yew, 
the colour a fine grass green. The branchlets, when compared with those of C. macrocarpa , are smaller 
and finer in appearance. The ordinary explanation that the C. Lambertiana plants were mostly from 
cuttings, and the C. macrocarpa seedlings, does not account for the difference, a3‘ plants raised from 
cuttings of the C. macrocarpa retain the colour of foliage and upright habit of growth. Mr. Fowler goes 
on to say “that in many parts of Ireland this tree is to be seen growing with extraordinary vigour. 
at Mount Stewart there are specimens nearly 40 feet in height; in Scotland, at Hopetoun House, 25 feet 
in height, as also at Murthly Castle in the far north, where the severity of the climate does not prevent 
its growing well. In some localities it suffers during unusually severe winters, but in most it will be 
found quite hardy.” Another tree of the same kind, mentioned by the same observer in 1883, was planted 
about ten years later than that above mentioned, but in better soil, and is now 49 ft. 6 in. in height, 
and 6 feet in circumference 4 feet from the ground. “There are two avenues,” continues Mr. Fowler, 
“ in the grounds from 30 to 40 feet in height, as well as hundreds of smaller heights in the park and 
pleasure-grounds, all in perfect health. There have been no specimens cut here of sufficient size to 
test the merits of the timber. It ripens seeds freely, and for the last twenty years we have occasionally 
been raising seedlings, many of which have been planted out, and are thriving equally well with those 
which have been raised from imported seed. I believe from extensive observation that it will be found to 
[43] A 2 thrive 
