The Shade Trees oe Denver. 
i i 
BASSWOOD. 
(Tilia americana L.) 
The basswood is one of the most conspicuous trees in the native forests 
of the Middle States, where it often reaches the height of seventy feet 
with a trunk diameter of three feet. While possessing somewhat the aspect 
of the catalpa, the young basswood is lacking in the coarseness of foliage 
and branches so characteristic of that species and is well suited to take 
the place of the catalpa for shade and foliage effects. The basswood when 
grown in open situations assumes an oval or rounded form of pleasing pro¬ 
portions. The large obliquely heart-shaped leaves have the margins 
coarsely serrate, are of a bright green color and are arranged alternately 
on the rather slender branches, the latter being covered with a smooth 
gray bark. 
The inner bark of the basswood is extremely tough and is capable 
of being readily split into very thin strips, which are often used, where 
the tree is plentiful, for binding fodder. Its wood is soft, light and almost 
white in color, there being scarcely any difference in this respect between 
the sap and the heart wood. 
In spite of the fact that the timber is of low fuel value and that it 
decays rapidly when placed in the soil, still the great variety of uses to which 
the wood of this tree is put and the fact that it is a hardy and rather rapid 
growing tree suggests it as a desirable introduction into the timber plantation. 
So far as it has been tried in this state the basswood has made a 
satisfactory growth and is to be recommended as a suitable street and 
lawn tree, especially where variety in foliage is desired, in addition to this 
the tree is attractive when in bloom, for the flowers, while not large, are 
numerous and fragrant and are capable, moreover, of furnishing a fine 
quality of nectar for honey bees. 
The usual method of propagation of the basswood is by mean-, of 
the fruit, which should be stratified in moist sand in an exposed place and 
planted in the seed bed the following spring. Many of them may fail to 
germinate the first year. 
In timber plantations this tree readily propagates from the stump, 
which sends up numerous strong shoots, and by thinning these out new 
trunks of good form may be secured in a comparatively short time. 
HACKBERRY. 
(Celtis occidenialis L ) 
This tree, while not as well known as it should be, is of wide range, 
having been found as far west as the Rocky Mountains. While in general 
appearance closely resembling the elm, the hackberry is capable of making 
a satisfactory growth wherever the elm succeeds, in many cases proving 
hardier than that tree. It has been used to some extent in Western Kansas 
and in Minnesota, where it is recorded as one of the best trees for 
ornamental planting. 
It does not usually make as large a tree as the American elm, but is 
the equal of that tree in its slender gracefulness of limb, while the leaves 
are so similar in shape as to be readily mistaken for those of the elm. 
While the hackberry is capable of making the best growth only in rich, 
moist soil, it is, nevertheless, able to do well in dry situations. It is well 
suited for street planting and is especially desirable for door yards and 
small grounds on account of its moderate size and pleasing appearance. 
The hackberry is propagated from seeds which are found in the 
small, cherry-like fruit borne singly on the twigs. These may be sown 
in autumn or stratified until spring. 
THE WESTERN, OR HARDY CATALPA. 
(■Catalpa speciosa Warder.) 
A great deal has been said and written in recent years about the 
catalpa as a utility tree which could be readily grown to supply the great 
