8 
Bulletin 96 
The airy grace and majestic bearing of the elm when well grown, 
likewise make it a most desirable tree to plant where generous artistic 
effects are desired. It is a rapid growing tree when young and also long- 
lived, qualities which are not often found in the same species. While this 
tree does best in a rich, moist soil, it is adapted to a variety of situations 
and soils where w~ater can be supplied. Its wood is tough and hard to split 
qualities which enable it to withstand severe winds and storms. 
It occasionally happens that sleet storms load the tops with ice 
to such an extent that the more upright branches are broken down. This 
trouble is no more liable to occur in this state, however, than in other 
portions of the country where the elm is grown, and in most cases the trees 
are capable of making a rapid recovery after the damaged branches are 
removed, owing to their ability to push out new shoots. 
Young trees of this species sometimes show a straggling habit of 
growth which can be usually corrected by a little judicious pruning. 
As with most trees the elm does best and makes the most perfect specimens 
when planted young and when the least amount of root pruning is necessary. 
Several other forms of elms can be seen in the city among which may 
be mentioned the cork, Scotch and English elms. All of these kinds ap¬ 
pear to be desirable and some of them may prove to oe better adapted 
to our conditions than the common white elm. 
The various kinds of elms are commonly propagated by seeds which 
usually ripen in May or June. The seeds should be sown at once and the 
most of them will soon germinate, but a few may remain dormant until 
the next spring. 
Many insects attack the elm, among which the elm leaf beetle has 
been quite destructive. None of these pests have appeared, as yet, in Colo¬ 
rado. 
ASH. 
(.Fraxinus sp.) 
There are three species of this tree which closely resemble each 
other, and any one of which may be meant when the name ash is used 
for those grown in this state. They are the white, the green and the 
red ash. Probably in most cases the. green ash is the one oftenest seen 
and is the one most highly recommended by writers on the subject of trees 
for prairie planting. The ash is one of our most reliable trees for orna¬ 
mental planting in this state and is capable of making a good showing 
in any situation where the cottonwood can be grown. It is a rapid grower, 
producing a somewhat rounded head of clean, dark green foliage, which 
assumes a bright yellow tint in autumn. Its leaves are compound, each being 
composed of five to nine leaflets arranged along a common stalk, thus res¬ 
embling quite closely those of the walnut. Thus its foliage contrasts well 
with trees having large simple leaves and they are also pleasing when 
seen in mass. 
The ash is well adapted to streets and other places where more ex¬ 
acting trees would fail. Thus it is hardy, its wood is tough and not easily 
broken down by storms and the tree is moreover capable of withstanding 
drouth to a considerable extent. It is especially suitable for prairie 
plantings for wind breaks and for shade. It can be easily grown from seeds 
which should be mixed with sand and kept in a shed or they may be 
spread on bare ground in the fall and covered with boxes or boards. In 
the spring the seeds should be planted in rows in a seed bed somewhat shelt¬ 
ered from wind and full sunlight and supplied with wafer. 
A few years ago borers attacked the ash trees of Denver in alarming 
numbers and it was feared for a time that all of these trees would lie 
destroyed. But the result has not been so serious as was anticipated, and today 
the insects are not as numerous as they were three years ago. 
HONEY LOCUST. 
(Gleditschia triacanthos L.) 
The honey locust is a tree which has been favorably known for a num¬ 
ber of years in the Middle Western States, where it is quite extensively 
