The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-07-17
TREES IN GROUPS.
Arranging Them SO That They VIII Or
nament Farms to the Best Advantage.

nament Farms to the Best Advantage.
Many farmers seem to think that they
have ornamented their places by the
use of trees when they have planted
row of some one kind along the side OF
the road in front, and another row near
the fence that divides their land from
that of their nearest neighbor. 1t may
be true that these straight rows of trees
do something toward ornamenting the
place, but it is certain that they do not
beautify it to the extent variety Of.
trees planted in groups would. There
Is an unnatural appearance about along
row of trees of the same kind, of near
ly the same size, planted at uniform
distance from each other. Especially
is this the ase when the trees are of a
variety that are not found in the groves
and forests in the vicinity. In coun-
try thickly or sparsely wooded we never
find trees growing in rows. Observa-
ton shows that we can not find three
stars in an exact line, and in forest it
is difficult to discover three trees in q
straight line or an equal distance apart.
This variety of species, size, position
and distance is what gives the chief
beauty to natural forest. The nearer
we approach nature in the selection and
disposition of trees planted for the pur-
pose OF Ornamenting a country place
the more pleasing will be the effect pro-
duced. An avenue in Toronto, Cana
da, is so ornamented by trees that
person riding on it would think the
road was cut through a natural forest,
great care having been taken to pre-
served all trees exactly as they stood.
Professional landscape gardeners have
given very beautiful appearance to
many public and private parks by fol-
lowing the copies set by nature in the
selection and arrangement of trees.
They have studied some beautiful piece
of woodland as painters do, and have
reproduced it as nearly as it was posi-
BILE to do so on land 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 uniform rows! Cattle will rub against
single tree, and will generally de-
stroy or greatly injure it unless
a protection is placed around
it. The wind will also have full sweep
against it, and will often blow it over if
it is not made secure in its position by
means of proper supports. Observation
| shows that few isolated trees are not
likely to make vigorous and healthy
growth unless great pains be taken with
them. Especially is this true with
evergreens of all kinds, 1t is hard to
raise an Eisolated pine, hemlock or fiji
tree Its sap thick ems, its branches be-
come broken by the winds, an d its
trunk is injured in various ways
| Evergreens of all kinds, as well as most
deciduous trees, do best when plante d
in groups or clusters. They afford mu-
| tual protection. The more hardy ones
afford shade and shelter to those that are
| weaker. 1t is much easier and cheaper
to protect a given number of trees in q
group than in long row. In the latter
case there must be posts and stakes tc
! which boards or wires are attached fol
every tree, while four stakes or post,
will support wires to surround a rod. O.
ground, on which from six to twelve
trees can be planted. In most cases
the fence will not require renewal as /
will last till the time the trees are of ;
size to require no protection. TOfurnisl
variety, group of trees may occasion
ally be planted in a circular form, ant
fence of stakes and wire thrown
around to protect them. A consider
able number of trees of various kind
can be planted to excellent advantage
in each corner of a prairie pasture
When this is done, a new fence will b
required on only two sides of the groun
attached to the trees.
A group of trees will produce the hes
effect and present the finest appearance
from a distance if specimens of som
stately variety be planted near the cen
ter, and those that do not reach a grea
height be arranged near the outside
Very tail trcss, devoid of branches for
considerable distance above the ground
do not look well on the outside of
grove or a small cluster of trees. The
present good appearance from dis
lance, but one who is near them has t
turn the head upward to see their beat
ty. The common white wax and sycs
more are desirable trees to plant nes
the center of a group. Around ther
, may be planted larches, ash, beach
maple and catalla trees, while near tn
edges dogwoods, elders and sumacf
can be arranged. In arranging group
of trees for ornament, care should b
taken not to make no two of them alik
in size, form or kinds of trees. 1t