STREET PLANTING. No. 2.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 960, 13 July 1881, Page 1 (Supplement)

STREET PLANTING. No. 2.

(From the Leader). Next to the choice and preparation of soil, drainage is a matter of importance that should not be neglected if there is any likelihood of an excessive accumulation of water in the soil, which, if not carried off by either natural or artificial drainage, must naturally stagnate, and is then certain to cause injury to the rootlets, and a check to the progress of the tree. Of equal importance is the quality of the trees. But it too often happens that trees are selected for their vigorous appearance, without the condition of their roots being enquired into, and thus it may be that the very finest looking trees are ill adapted for being transplanted, from having been allowed to grow for two great a length of time on the same spot, their vigor being * caused by the lateral extension of their roots to such a length that in the ordinary course of lifting they are cut through, and the best (youngest) portion left in the ground. As trees for planting in streets or similar positions, should, for obvious reasons, be of considerable size, they should undergo a proper system of preparation. Very young trees may be left in the nursery for two, or occasionally three years, without transplanting, but after they have attained a size of 4, 5 or 6 feet in height, annual transplanting should be the rule, otherwise their roots are certain to run out of bounds and be sacrificed at the next move, but if moved every year, the roots near the butt being supplied with fresh soil, a mass of young fibres is formed which can be easily lifted without any serious amount of damage, and although the tree itself may not show so much vigor as another that has been allowed to grow on for a number of years, it will prove greatly superior afterwards on account of the larger number of feeding roots, which, if the work is carefully performed, will enable it to start

at once into vigorous growth. A good plan for corporations or other public > bodies that have much planting in hand would be to procure trees a year or two beforehand, and properly prepare them by planting and transplanting, if necessary, in suitable soil in a nursery. In the choice of kinds, the first consideration should be the particular purpose for which the trees are intended, whether for ornament, or merely for shade, the size which the trees may ultimately attain is also of great importance. As a rule, shade trees in streets should be of rattier dwarf kinds, especially if the streets are narrow, where large growing trees would occupy too much space, and if they grew well, would presently become impediments to the light, and interfere with the architecture of buildings. At the same time large growing trees can be kept within bounds by pruning, and it may be that in certain cases where dwarfer and possibly more tender kinds would not thrive so well it would be preferable to use trees of such a character as could be depended on to make a sufficient growth to effect the desired object. It is admitted that deciduous

trees are the best adapted for the purx pose, for though pines and other evergreens may be admissable as shade trees in parks or public gardens, they are out of place in streets where shade is not required in winter, and where they are likely to keep the footpaths unnecessarily damp ; their monotony of appearance also tells against them as compared with the greater variety of aspect of deciduous trees. Of the taller class of trees the elm is without doubt the most suitable, taking into account the robustness of its nature and its power of adapting itself to circumstances. If required for ornament, the English species (Ulrnus campestris) is the most handnk some, but the Scotch or Wych elm (I . montana) and its varieties, being more rapid in growth, and of a more spreading habit, are better adapted for the purpose of shade, requiring only a little shortening of over luxurious branches to keep them in shape and within proper bounds. The Plane tree (Platanus), taking into account the beauty of its appearance and the dense shade produced by its foliage ought to stand second on the list, but unfortunately it does not thrive in many situations, requiring a deep, free v soil, moist, but not wet at bottom, and a sheltered situation ; it is apparently better adapted for inland districts than for the neighborhood of the sea. The English oak (Quercus ;Robur), though

regarded with veneration by all Englishmen, would not thrive well as" a street tree, unless planted in fertile soil with a large area of exposed surface, and never grows so rapidly as the elm. It however forms an excellent shade tree where allowed sufficient space for root and branch. The Turkey oak (Q. Cerris) grows well in this climate, and is more regular in outline than Q. Robur. It is probable that among the numerous American, Himalayan, Japanese and other species, some will be found suitable, but they are not yet sufficiently abundant to be experimented with. The Spanish, or Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa (vesca) when matured and in perfection, is a noble tree. Its leaves, which are beautiful, give a dense shade, and hang till late in autumn ; the trees form heads of much symmetry, are longlived, and attain a great size when favorably situated. It prefers a deep, sandy loam, does not thrive in soils that are very stiff and tenacious, but does fairly well on rocky ground, where its roots can enter the chinks and fissures. Poplars, both the black (Populus monilifera), and the silver (P. alba), are useful kinds for lowsituations, where the soil is damp, though its tendency to throw up suckers in all directions tells against the silver in most situations. Certain kinds of willow are also valuable for similar situations, though the shade they afford is not very dense; The common weeping willow' (Salix babylonica) might be-employed w'ith advantage in certain situations. Among other suitable sorts are the Golden Osier (S. vitelina), the Huntingdon (S. alba), S. Russellina, and S. caprea. Among dwarf trees the Common Locust tree (Robinia Pseud-Acacia), is one of the most suitable, both on account of its spreading habit and its ability to thrive in soil of moderate quality ; its foliage, though not very dense, is sufficient to cast a pleasant shade. The different species of Honey Locust (Gleditschia) are similar in character to the Common Locust, but of stronger and coarser growth. Schinus Molle is a dwarf tree of regularoutline and handsome appearance, and in good soil would answer the purpose well where the space to be shaded is not very wide. Melia Azedarach (the Bead tree), is of considerable value, quickly forming a pleasant shade when planted in good soil; it is also capable of enduring a dry climate and poverty of soil. Catalpa springaefolia and Paulownia imperials are similar in habit and apapearance, both producing leaves of large size and spreading heads. They prefer a moist situation, and grow rapidly in fertile soil. Grevillea robusta, where it can be made to thrive forms an exceedingly handsome tree, whether in flower or foliage only, but it requires a very favorable soil and situation. Among other available kinds may be mentioned Ailantus glandulosa, Celtis Australis, Kolreuteria paniculata and Maclura aurantiaca.

With regard to the distance apart at which street trees should stand, in order to afford continuous shade, the largest kinds should not be more than 30 feet from each other ; while 12 to 20 feet, according to the strength of each, may suffice for the dwarf kinds. Another branch of the subject which should not be omitted is the distribution or arrangement of the different kinds in the streets. For in the design of planting trees in streets it is well to bear in mind that, next to furnishing a comfortable shade, a pleasant aspect is also worth striving for; but this can hardly be obtained w here an admixture of varieties 'is allowed. To avoid incongruity there must be at least uniformity, w'hether it is obtained by planting each street or each particular portion or block with one, or with two varieties, the latter being admissible by the sides of roads, or of drives through parks and public gardens, where pines or other evergreens would not be out of place, though even then the arrangement would be a sacrifice to comfort, and have a less natural appearance than would a single variety. Where it is desired that different kinds should be planted, the proper method is to keep each variety by itself, thus in one street might be oaks, in another elms, in a third planes and so on, which w'ould give variety combined with order and regularity.