The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-03-23
REPORT On SHADE TREES.
Read before the Cincinnati Hor;ic /.
ru-af Anrjelv.

Shade Trees in general, and made many OBJ
servatlons. at different seasons of the year
especially during the past summer of unpre-
cedented drouth and heat. in cities as well
As in the country, for ornament and for
shade
The task OF making selection oftrees adapt
ed 10 al! the purposes OF ornamental planting,
ofpleasure grounds, OF lawns, and in the streets
Of cities, would require a more extensive
knowledge Of the aboretum than your com
mittees would pretend 10 claim. Fer pleasure
grounds. especially if extensive, scarcely any
trees selected from cur native tores Will come
amiss, if planted in groups. or promiscuously
arrange d Away having regard o circum>tsn-
ees. as locality. shape OF the surface. aspect,
charac-er OF the soil. etc, avoiding. much
possible. straight rows. which are insight
ly, and, we think should scarcely ever be al
lowed, except along the streets OF cities and
villages, and on each side of roads and public
highways in the country.
We can conceive nothing that would con-
tribute more 10 beautify the scenery, and Weld
comfort and pleasure to the traveller. than the
gra eiul shade of continuous rows of graceful
Elms Of Silver Naples. Of Sugar Naples. Of
Tulip trees, or even the common Locust, when
planted III extended lines along the road sides.
In addition to these. we would recommend
the planting of our native Oaks. of every spe-
cies, where the land Is suitable. either for
shade or ornament No trees are harder.
or present more beautiful classic foliage
In selecting list o. trees suited to planting
along the streets of cities in this climate. we
would contne ourselves to the con>idera,ion of
those only that have been planted and fairly
tested in and about the city of Cincinnati.
within the last twenty Years. for the purpose of
atlprding ornament and shelter from the in
tense heat OF an almost tropical summers sun.
1t is evident. therefore, that range of
choice must be quite limited, as ont of the
great number thas have been tried in this city,
few only withstand the vicisstudes to
which they are necessarily exposed. The
roots compressed aud contorted beneath brick
and stone paw ements and walls. and the branch
es and foliage smothtred with dust and smoke
and pe>,lierous gases.
frtir rrrIs.n TfuuttJrr, tfIvrcn cnorv,
such extraordinary exposures, must possess a
character of great hardihood
The above considerations should always di
rect the citizens in selecting shade trees TO
plant along the streets. He will find it nee
essarv, in many instances. to forego the enjoy
ment of odorfcrous flowers, to secure a dense
green and compact foliage, that will protect
him from the scorchins rays of the sun. A
foliage that is also obnoxious to the depreda
tionS Of insect tribes.
The first tree that we would unhesitatinrlv
recommend. after watching il carefully during
the past season OF uHrntigated heat and drouth.
both in the city and country. is the Chinese
Alianthus or Tree Of Heaven, with It's smooth
erect STEM strong and sturdy branches.
with deep green and graceful foliage of un
surpassed beauty. No other tree can be found
in this country, that communicates to a street
III the CITY such an AIR OF oriental magnItcence,
as two long ex ended rows of this beautiful
! exotic.
But TO convey to Tie behoder pure sense
of its grandeur and beauty, the rows should
be continuous and not alternated or inter
rup.ed by any other trees. Long avenues of
one kind produce the most pleasing effect; but
different streets NAV, with much good taste,
be planted with entirely different sorts.
The objections To the AlIanthus tina: have
been urged bv a few persons OF sensitive nerves
the peculiar odor of the fiowers-we con
slider alto either futile, as familiarity and habi.
will soon render l. not only innocent, but an
agreeable perfume; and the whole tree. so far
from being poisonous, has been found to be
whole tonic and s.omachic like the Prickly
Ash.
Next to this comes the Silver Poplar, or
Abele tree This, although presenting an en-
tirely different appearance, IS another form Of
beauty: is verv hardy, and affords good
shade particularly the newer varieties.
The Catalpa. which has been lon. tried is
also another good clean tree, free from insects,
with large smooth. silkv leaves and most
beautiful, snowy flowers, IS quite hardy, ard
affoxis most agreeable shade TO the side
/ walk
The European Linden, 50 far as tried in the
citv seems 10 flourish well, and forms dense
pvramidal head and the perfume ofits flowers
is delightful
The Paper Mulberry was one Of our best
trees for the street it IS of quick growth, en-
tirely free from insects. forms dense spread
ing shade, ani although nearly destroyed BY
the unexanpet winter raof 1851, deserve again
% be planted
The Silver Maple is another beautiful tree,
bu does no, flourish amid the dust and smoke
Of crowded city. In an open, airy street it
will thrive very WELL but can not be recon-
mended for general planting in the city
The Horse Cnes,nu. IS another good tree
for the street. in Eastern cities, and deserves a
trial here. Il forms a broad. spreading top,
and has handsome flowers.
The Weeping Willow Is another tree tha.
srows with mach vigor in Cincinnati, ard if
planted in continuous rows along the more re-
tired streets. and trained high, il would afford
an object Of exquisite beauty.
For plan iny lawns and door-vards in the
country. we would not presume to make Sc
lection, as all trees and shrubs are ornamental
If planted with taste-that is. agreeably 10 the
dictates of nature, and not in mathematical A
line aud diagrams L
s MoSHER, Chairman.
+ @E- A Mckay, Esq. of Naples
/ Ontario county, New York. writes 20 the
/ Horsiculturist that he raised from one acre oil
land eleven thousand pounds Of Isabella grapes
: over FIVE and half tons