The herald., 1894-08-19
SHADE AND ORNAMENTAL TREES,
Esthetic Value of Such Fea-
lures Of Horticulture.
Varieties of Trees Particularly Avail.
able in This Region.
The Pepper Tree tho First-Ths Euca-
Iypti-Attractive Acncias-Eivs
Valuable Dsciduous
Trees.
[BY WIN. CHAPPELEw. |

sioo, anu IA tulb CUIuoI VI tuo WOTlu GU
joy it none the less because the air is
laden with the orange blooms fragrance
and the sleepy hum of insects as they
fly from bloom to bloom.
We are apt to be ashamed of this in
the busy struggle for existence of the
nineteenth century; but it is as much q
part OF our nature today as it was many
centuries ago, when the pstriarchs sat
beneath the shadow of their fig and vine,
and no picture of the Garden of Ed en-
would be complete unless supplied with
some spreading trees under whose CRATE
ful and refreshing shade our frat pa
rents might take their MONDAY rest,
and ornamental trees from whose SYM
metry and beauty they might taxa their
fret lessone in aesthetic art.
This is the age of utilitarianism and
we are apt to forget that the well-being
OF our nature requires something more
than the mere satisfying Of our physical
hunger, and that although fruits are in
dispenssble, lovely trees and scented
flowers are necessary, too. If we would
get out of life all that goes to make life
worth the living.
These Introductory remarks are offered
as my apology (if any is needed) for ask
ing your attention for few minutes to a
description to some of the trees that
afford pleasure only, as distinct from
fruit trees that give Us food as we'll as
shade and ornament.
1t is not possible in paper so limited
as this must be to give detailed des-
cription OF each and all of the sources of
trees that by their symmetry OF growth,
h1..x &c. ". =. L L
and their gorgeous or prolific howe ring,
appeal to us for place in our ornamen-
tai grounds. shall, therefore, merely
glance at a few OF those shade and orna-
mental trees that appear to be best
adapted for growth in our soil and cli-
mate. The frat | shall mention (it be.
ing the most often planted) ie the Cali
fornia pepper. the SchiDus molle OF the
botanist.
As shade tree it ia pre-eminently
adapted to our southern counties. 1t
will grow. and grow well. in almost any
location, the exceptions being on very
wet land, where, after getting age, it
generally dies from root rot, and when
planted in an exposed position near the
ocean. On the other hand | have seen
it thriving on mountain slopes where
-'~s.s--' .'-ss .=s.,essy kIfouor, iiay.
ing no symmetry or regularity in the
growth of its limbs, and neither its
foliage nor flowers invite our ad.
mifation. AS shade tree, for DO.
sltlon in the background, it recon-
msnds itself, while for ornament il ia
undesirable.
Among the eucalypti are some very
ornamental trees. The Il. globulus, the
common gum, ia most generally plant-
ed. 1t has been the longest introduced
of any of the family, and its rand
growth ia it's main recommendation. !
am afraid to say how big growth the
tree will make in two years. We nur-
serymen are rather touchy OIL the mat
ter OF our veracity, you know, and if |
stated the height have seen the tree
grow to In two years some of you vonld.
know, accuse me OF prevaricating. But
ths y. globulus Is not adapted for a
shade tree, nor is it desirable ss an or
namental tree. While none OF the fam
lily Will make good shade trees, some of
tnem are quite ornamental, notably the
sugar gum (E. corynocalyx), the n
viminalis, which stands some pretty
hard freezing, the pink howerinR gum
(E. leucoxylon), the E. filicifolia, whose
flowers are very large and deep red
the lemon gum e. citriodora), and the
giant gum (E. gIgantea) the last men
toned being the iatest introduced os
the family and the one that promises to
supersede the other vsrities in popular
favor.
The Monterey pine (Pinus ineignis) ia
rather slow grower for the first few
years. but eventually it makes one of
the finest shade trees we can grow. Jts
branches run out to a great length and
are set symmetrlcally and when full OF
cones lt Ia grand and beautiful trea.
This pine doas we'll in our dry climate
whlch ls an exception, as most of the
family do we'll only in cool, moist loca-
tons.
The Araucarias (both the Bidwilli;. a
native OF Moreton bay, and the excslsa,
a native OF Norfolk island) make most |
beautiful trees, the latter especially. II
is generally known as the star pine and
some fine specimens of it can be seen in |
Los Angeles. No descri ption could give /
would no it justice-it must be seen to be
appreciated. Its price, s5 or so for g. |
loot tree, keeps it from being more gen
orally planted.
The Casuarina equisetifolia, better
known as the she oak is q rapid growing
tree OF peculiar habit, and should be
more generally planted. 1t ia pyramidal
Ia form. with foliage something like the
Iamarix. AS it will grow In a rather
saline soil, it may with advantage be
planted in places where the alksli might
destroy other trees.
The sequoia, the giant redwood of the
Yosemite valley, although making verv
arge tfee when fully grown, is q very
slow grower, and one has TO be pretty
young when planting it if he expects
to sit under its shade when in his old
age. C.
The camphor tree (Cinnamomum cam
ohora) makes a medium sized tree. Its
caves are yellowish green and glossy.
'he fresh growth being almost red
making it very ornamental tree, bsside
which its leaves and berrss are very
No list should omit the magnolia. the
noss magnificent of the board-leaved
vergreens. 1t ia most ornamental
rec from the time il is small bush to
he day OF it's maturity, when it attains
large size and is prolific bloomer.
ts large, white, fragrant flowers are we'll ,
nown. The only objection to it is I
hat it requires age before blooming.
iten not Towering until its tenth
ear. This objection can be obviated
y planting the NJ. grandifora exonien- :
Is, Chinese variety of the magnolia