Some Good Shade Trees.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1874, 23 August 1886, Page 3

Some Good Shade Trees.

The Sycamore—Where there is such a vide selection of trees more or leas suited lor planting for shade it is rather a difficult matter to decide upon the particular species which is most generally adapted to the purpose. 1 think, however, that it will be a difficult matter to make choice of a tree which has a better all round claim than the sycamore. Whea shade in. the principal object for which a tree is planted, more must be thought of the character of its foliage and general habit than about the value of ila timber. When the two qualities, however, can be found in one species, it is, of course, all the more valuable. It is pretty wall known by planters that the wood cl the sycamore ia now about as valuable as that of any timber tree grown in England, and that, so far aa appearance can guide us, it is likely to ha so in the future. This circumstance, then, I take it, is a sufficient reason for placing the sycamore first on the list of shade trees, as, although there are other species of forest trees which have aa great claim in respect of their foliage, tbe> fall short in the worth of their timber. The sycamore is also a tree which grows at a fairly rapid rate, and will thrive in many situations. On very high and dry sites it is not to be recommended, as its habitat is naturally more moist. In saying this, it must not, however, be assumed that any wet or marshy soil will do for the sycamore, as, although it is adverse to very high and dry positions, it is equally unfitted for boggy or nndiainsd land. In the range of soils between these two extremes, the perk or grounds attached to residences ia mostly found. There an, therefore, few such places where a suitable spot for tbs sycamore cannot be determined upon. The Lime.—This is another useful shade tree, tad one which will bring a return lor its timber. Of the European lime tree there appears to be several species, but London regards them as merely varieties. In whatever way this may be decided it will not afleet the qaeation of its suitability for planting as a shade tree. Its foliage, though of a quits different character to the sycamore, ia very abundant. In many respects it is a tree which would grow well in similar sells to those in which the sycamore thrives. It is adapted either for forming avenues or propagating aa isolated specimens. Growing, as it doss, to slarge size, it is often capable of shading a very large area. One of its remarkable qualities is its fragrance when in flower, and son treats well with other trees.

The Beech—There are, I know, eome other treee which, il the foliage only was regarded, would be entitled to a place in the list before the beech, bat, looking at utility and ornament together, this ii a tree which must alwaye hold a high place. A moment'* thought of the way in which the beech bee been planted generations ago will be a sufifideotly convincing proof ef this. Though it* leave* are smaller than those of most trees which are regarded as the beet for shade,, they are to abundant and closely set that its shade is ,aa dense as that of almost any tree. There is, too, another point which is a recommendation to the beech, viz., that it will grew on lighter soils and in more exposed places than the trees which have previously been mentioned generally succeed in.

The Wych Elm—Looked at in the light of growing in places where many trees will not, the Wych Elm has the title to a honorable place amongst shade trees. Where the common elm grows best many other trees which are possessed of s more dense foliage thrive well, bat the Wych Elm often makes a tine spreading tree at a much greater height, and on poor soil.

The Horae Chestnnt—lt will perhaps be thought that this magnificent tree has been overlooked, or that it has been relegated to too low a place amongst trees for shade. It has, however, been intentionally placed here, os although a good specimen of this species of itself form* a moat delightful retreat from the rays of the sun, its timber is of so little valne, that it t;:iously reduces its chance of being more extensively planted, it is true that shade is not often greatly needed early a the season, otherwise another great point n favor of the horse cheetnat weald be the date at which its foliage becomes fully developed. It is a tree which succeeds in a variety of soils, and which often reaches connderabls dimensions in high and dry situsftoaa. It has also the advantage of being a rapid grower.

The Plane—This tree mast certainly be mentioned es e valuable shade tree. Its •special value, no doubt, is that it will grow where most other trees will languish, i e, within the limits of the smoke of great cities. Those who Use where so many species will thrive may well spare the tree to their less favored brethren, as for country planting it will rank with others of its class without any especial points upon which it is to be preferred. The Walnat—Hitherto no tree has been been spoken of which will both supply shade end produce an edible fruit. These two qualities are combined in the walnat, and until late years it possessed a third important quality, viz., the value of its wood. There are some trees which afford better shade iu their mature years than when young, but, Its a general rule a comparatively young walnut makes a good shade tree. It is a tree whi' U will grow on a drier soil than many species of shade trees, and lot the production of fiuit its being planted where the subsoil is rocky is recommended. The Common Pear—Another tree which, when grown to good dimensions, often gives * capital shade, is the common pear. This M • step further from what is generally looked upon as purely timber trees than the walnut. It ia, nevertheless, a tree which is worthy of attention beyond the mere property it has of growing an edible fruit. The timber of the pear, too, is useful for many purposes. The Willows - There are many forms of the willow which may be regarded as shady trees, although their foliage is by no means so dense as most of those winch have been enumerated. When allowed to grow in their natural habit they often assume very spreading and graceful shapes, and supply a shade which, if slight, is not always the less agreeable. In running through this list a few only of whet may claim to be good shade trees have been touched upon, bnt enough has been said to show that there is room for the use of judgment in using what is adapted lor shade as well as lor the many other points which the planter has to keep in view. Evergreens have purposely been left out of these remarks, as deciduous trees serve every purpose for which shade can possibly be required. Shelter, of course, is a very different thing.— The Garden.