The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-03-30
Orna mental Trees.
ID. w. COUKTS,
Public Treasurer,

Who ever saw perfect tree. that was not orns
mental? The magnolia does not possess all thu
beauty of the forest. The tulip tree, bay, oak,
beech. pine, chesnut, walnot, elm and even tho
varied sweet gum, are beautiful, when arranged
with Judgment and skill. The sweet gum which
abounds on every branch and in every swamp of
the South, has been scorned for its excresccut
looking limbs, without a thought having been be.
slowed upon the graceful beauty of its foliage, and
the pyramidia form of its branches, until it 10
found engraved in Northern Horticultural work,
great arboreal curiosity, from the cork like
excrescences on its feafhery limbs, and spoken Of
10 terms of rapturous commentator, as an ornu
mental tree. And although it is doubtful whether
can be accmated north of Philadelphia yet tho
seeds anG plants Of the sweet gum, will be sold by
Northern nurserymen all over the world and our
traveller will look with admiration at the sweet
gum in the English parks, that came from his own
neighborhood and grounds, without recognizing
his leafy kinsman Of the forest. There is a sad
want Of taste sor ornamental trees in :he country.
Our farmers great in deadening trees, and care
little for the beauties Of the living. How many of
the wealthy planters Of the South live among tho
leafiess branches of the G rdled trees without
green leaf or blossom to teach them love Nud graf
itude.
The native trees of our forests are fast disap.
appearing before the ruthless axe, and with them
goes the greatest ornaments Of nature. Would
gentlemen Of intelligence reflect for momentbe
fore laying The at the root Of the venerable
centuran, how long it has taken in ita sien.
beautiful workings, to produce its massive trunk
and lofty branches what tales of primitive lines
it could tell could its voiceIess lips translate Tho
poetry of its birth, surely they would pause before
committing such indiScrIminate destruction. DenL
zens Of the sunny South save the native tree,
around you. The voracious saw mill is now
perched on every mountain grove, as well as on
every stream of the valley, and the appelation OF
burning Sourh will be more appropriate than sun.
ny, when not spreading branch, with its refresh.
ing foliage, shall break the darling rays Of the
sun, but the earth, baked and parched, and men
sweter and sweat, as if they were on the confines
of Vesuvius Etna. The country. where
is it? Why, few miles from town. But all thai
should characterize a country residence has bern
( swept away by the destroying hand OF man. Ii
has been said, God made the country man The
city /; but if the vandsl spirit OF orboreous do.
| struction which marks the settlement OF new
country, be not stayed, few traces Of Gods handI'
work will be found unmarried by the improving
skill Of man.
I" Woodman! spare that tree"
should be in the mouth of every landed prophe'
tor in the country, for if il has not sheltered hin
in his youth, it may his children. Not only spare
the &C brave old oaks" but plant tho evergreen,
cedar, magnolia, bay and holly. The graceful
and mourning willow; the majestic elm; the Ig@
and snowy dogwood the wide spreading chesno';
the terraed fahered mimosa the cuPPed tulip
the fruit yielding mulberry; the cork llmbrd'",
pen eaved sweet gum or CaroIinas proud en-
blem, the spear like paImerto-All, all are beau'
full and appropriate, for there never yet grew
perfect tree, that was not ornamental.-- Soil
the South.