In the language of Oliver Wendell Holmes, “It will not do to be exclusive in our tastes about trees. There is hardly one of them which has not peculiar beauties in some fitting place for it.” Even a blasted and wind-torn tree, or those trees which have the quality of picturesqueness, such as the gingko, cut-leaved maple, Kentucky coffee, weeping larch, or those artificially dwarfed trees, catalpa and mountain ash, all may be utilized in their appropriate places.
Trees.
—Apple.—A rather good-looking tree with a beautiful show of blossoms in the spring. Used extensively as a road tree in Europe. The native crab-apple and the thorn-apple (red haw) are both fine for their blossoms. They do not grow large so can be used in group planting.
Arbor vitae.—A species of cedar used for screens, wind-breaks, and hedges, and for filling in shrubbery where a variety of color is desired.
Ash.—There are some half dozen or more varieties found native in the United States covering a region from the Atlantic to the Rockies and extending into Oregon and Washington. Nearly all of them are suitable for road and street trees. In parks they are good for massing as they stand close planting.
Aspen.—A species of poplar, rapid growing and often springs up in the pine forests after the conifers have been cut off. The color of the leaves makes it desirable in some plantings. Will grow in close masses.
Balm of Gilead.—A species of poplar (black cottonwood); a good-looking tree but like other poplars not especially desirable as a road tree, but in all the Northern states where quick growth is wanted might be used.
Bamboo.—Native of South Sea Island, Philippines, southern Asia, other southern countries and a species in Florida. A rapid growing plant, quite graceful, and can be utilized for group and massive planting where acclimated.
Basswood.—See [Linden].
Bay.—See [Laurel].