, 1886-07-22
TREES In GROUPS.
CLUSTERS MUCH MORE oRNA-
MENTAL THAN UNIFORM ROWS.

The Nearer the Tree-Pianter Approaches
Nature the More Pleasing VIII BE the
Eject Produced-P1anting In Groups fol
Protection-various Hints
Many farmers seem to think that they
have ornamcnted their places by the use
Of trees when they have planted a row OF
some one kind along the side OF the road
in front, and another row near the fence
that divides their and from hat Of their
nearest neighbor. 1t may be true thai
these straight rows of trees do something
toward o~rnamenting the place, but 1t Is
certain that they do not beautify 1t to the
extent a variety of trees planted in groups
would. There is an unnatural appearance
about n long row of trees of some Kind, OF
nearly the same size, planted at a uniform
distance from each other. Especially Is
this the case when the trees are OF a
variety that are not our in the groves
and forests of the vicinity. In a country
thickly or sparcely wooded we never nnd
trees growing in rows Observation shows
that we can not find three stars In an ex-
act line, and in a forest 1t Is difficult to
discover three trees in a straight line or
nm equal distance apart. The variety Of
species, size. position, N distance is
what gives the chief beauty to n natural
forest.
TO A PLEASING EFFECT
The nearer we approach mature in the
selection and disposition Of trees planted
for the purpose OF or%namenting a country
place the more pleasing will be the effect
propuced. An venue in Toronto, Can,
Is so ornamented by trees that a person
riding on it would think the road was cut
through II natural forest, great care hay.
ing been taken to preserve all the trees
exactly as they TODD. Professional land
scape gardeners have given a very beauti-
full appearance to many public n pri-
vate parks by following the copies set by
nature in the selection and arrangement
Of trees. They have studied some Deauti-
full piece OF woodland as painters do, and
rave Reproduced it as nearly as 1t was pos
sible to do SO ON Ian that was originally
entirely destitute of trees.
Groups of trees, scattered about a farm,
are much more ornamental than uniform
rows. 1t is much easier to set them
out and to protect them when they are in
clusters than when they are in uni
form rows. Cattle will rub against a sin
gle tree and will generally destroy or
greatly injure it unless a protection
Is placed round 1t. The wind
will also have full sweep against
1t, and will often blow 1t over il it
is not made secure in its position by
means of proper supports. Observation
shows that few Isolated trees are not
likely to make Il vigorous and healthy
growth unless great pains be taken with
them. Especially is this true with ever
greens OF all kinds. 1t is hard to raise an
isolated pine, hemlock, or fir tree. Its sap
thickens, its branches become broken by
the winds, and its trunk Is injured in va
rious ways. Evergreens Of all kinds, as
well as most all deciduous trees, do best
when planted in groups or clusters. They
afford mutual protection. The more
hardy ones afford a shade and shelter to
those that are weaker. 1t is much easier
and cheaper to protect a given number of
trees in a group han in a long row. In
the latter case there must be posts and
stakes to which boards or wires are at
tached for every tree. while four stakes or
posts will support wires to surround a rod
of ground, on which from six to twelve
trees can be planted. In most cases the
fence will not require renewal, as it will
last till the time the trees are of a size to
require no protection.
ARIous HINTS OF VALUE.
To furnish variety, n group of trees may
occasionally be planted in circular form,
and a fence of stakes and wire thrown
around to protect them. A considerable
number OF trees of various kinds can be
planted to excellent advantage in each
corner OF n prairie pasture. When this is
done, a new fence will be required on only
two sides OF the ground attached to the
trees. A group of trees will produce the
best effect and produce the finest appear
ance from a distance il specimens Of some
stately variety be planted near the center,
and those that do not reach a great height
be arranged near the outside. Very fan
trees, devoid &c h-=-saes Tor a consider
able distance above the ground, do not
look well on the outside of a grove or
small cluster of trees. They present a
good appearance from a distance, but one
who is near them has to turn the head up
ward to see their beauty. The common
white wax and sycamore are desirable
trees to plant near the center of the group.
Around them ma be planted larches, ash,
beech, maple, and catalapa trees, while
near the edges dogwoods, elders, and
sumachs can be arranged. In arranging
groups of trees for ornament, care should
be taken to make no two of them alike in
size, form, or kinds of trees. 1t is easy in
most parts of the west to procure oak trees
of three varieties. Those planted near to-
gether show well both by combination
and to contrast.
Groups of non-producing trees Of differ
ent varieties Dol well from a distance,
though 1t requires many years to raise the
trees to a large size. A very beautiful
grouping is made of spruce, Eastwood, and
white birch trees. The white birch shows
splendidly among frs and Australian
pines. A group Of ornamental trees sur
rounded by a hedge of arbor-vit@ privet,
or barberry, presents a very fine appear
ance. But II Is not necessary to obtain
expensive trees in order to ornament a
farm, and there is no occasion to employ a
landscape gardener to direct the planting.
Everyone sees groups OF trees that nature
has planted as beautiful as those ever ar
ranged by the most skillful artist. These
can serve as copies for the tree-planter
who lives on a farln--Chicago Times.