On the pruning of trees and the removal of large limbs I must refer my readers to a most admirable little book recently published in America, being a translation from the celebrated ‘Treatise on Pruning Forest and Ornamental Trees, by A. des Cars,’ which enters most fully into the subject, and being of great practical value, should be studied by anyone who has anything to do with the care of forest or other trees.[219]
With regard to the planting of trees along the sides of streets, our French neighbours are much in advance of us.[220] It is true that in this country, owing to the much larger consumption of coal as a domestic fuel, there is more soot in the air, but it is erroneous to suppose that trees will not thrive well in England. No doubt the moisture of our climate causes the soot or “blacks” to adhere to the leaves and limbs of the trees, but for that reason deciduous and not evergreen trees should be selected for planting in towns, and these, if well chosen and carefully planted, will most undoubtedly fully repay their first cost and maintenance by the additional beauty to the street, the agreeable shade they cast, and their generally healthful action on the population.
In selecting trees to plant along the sides of the streets or roads in any towns, it is well to bear in mind that the following qualities are necessary:—
The tree must be hardy; it must not be affected by a long-continued drought; heat must not wither it nor make it look rusty; it must be able to withstand dust, smoke, soot, foul air, and the insidious attacks of insects, and be able to recover from any malicious or accidental injury it may receive.
The tree must be of rapid growth, and develope a straight, clean stem with shady foliage. It must be graceful either in full leaf or when bare as in winter; its roots must not require too much room, and they must be able to withstand the effects of pollution or rough treatment.
Although the foregoing list of requirements may seem rather formidable, yet amongst the trees whose names now follow there will be found some which meet many, if not all of these requirements, and which, if properly planted with all reasonable care, may be expected to thrive if planted at the sides of the streets in any town in this country.
List of Trees suitable for Planting
at the Sides of Streets.
- Western Plane.
- Lime.
- Maple.
- Horse Chestnut.
- Elm.
- Tulip tree.
- Lombardy Poplar.
- Ash.
- Willow.
- Beech.
- Birch.
- Oak.
- Sycamore.
- Copper Beech.
- Pawlonia.
- Ailantus Glandulosa.
- Laburnum.
- Lilac.
- Almond.
- Peach.
- Hawthorn.
- Acacia.
- Double Cherry, etc.
Of the above list the western plane for many reasons is the most desirable. Its freshness when it bursts into green buds is well known, and it is proverbial for its hardiness.
The lime was at one time the most popular tree for this purpose, but it has several defects, the most notable being that its leaves wither before the summer is over, and the tree assumes a lifeless look at a time when most shade and freshness are required of it.