The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1921-04-14
NATIVE PLANTS BEST T0PLANT
T0BEAUTIFY LAWNS0F BISMARCK
Dr. Gilmore Gives Advice to Local People Seeking to Improve
Homes with Shrubbery and Trees Tells Origin of Plants
and those That Grow Best in This Part of the Country.

IN planning a planting scheme Tor
a private garden or for municipal
gardens or parks the private proprie-
tor Of the one or the public board in
! charge Of the other should give care
full consideration to the natural s;tua-
tion as to aspect and exposure, sol!
conditions, water content, and all
other physical factors affecting the
locatian proposed to be planted. To
this purpose close observation and
study should be given to similar situa-
tions which remain in state of ma
ture. The relation and natural asso-
citation Of species with species in
PIT irie, coppice, thicket and grove
and forest should be carefully noted.
The discerning observer of nature will
be able, if he possess imagination as
we'll as perception, to depict mentally
the effect of proposed paintings as
they will be when they have become
established. He will know what spe-
cies and what associations Of species
to use in planting according to the
given situation and conditions. 1t
will not do for the planter to say 81
wish to have such and such species Of
trees, shrubs or flowers; therefore I
will plant such species" Rather he
should say 81 have such and such a
situation which l wish to plant Let
me see what species nature has placed
in situations similar, SO that shall
know what pecies | may or should
plant with hope Of success in the
given situation" The prospective
planter should observe and consider
well the zonation and relative posi-
ton of the species of the given region
successfully from the streamside up
to the highest elevations, stream val
ley, ravines, hillsides and SUBMITS.
Ii makes great difference in the
proper SPECIES to plant, whether the
proposed plantation is on an alluvial
flood plain or river "bottom," upon a
terrace for "bench," or upon hills.
y How to Group Them
So. the natural habitat and associa-
tions of species should be studied
carefully and the paintings should con-
form to the situations and groupings
in nature. Then the park or garden,
when developed, will possess the
charm and grace Of natural growth.
Groupings and situations of trees
and plants contrary to nature offend
the aesthetic sense in a manner COM
parable to the pain and displeasure,
the pity and disgust occasioned by a
congenital deformity or abnormality
in a human body. For instance, rows
of cottonwoods, willows or boxelders
marshaled in stiff lines standing
stark upon an exposed hilltop are as
pitiful and lacking in beauty as club
foot or six-fngered hand, and for
similar reason, namely, that they are
so out of harmony and accord with
nature. Cottonwoods, boxclders and
willows find their natural situation on
low, moist ground, in association with
various species of shrubs and herbacc-
Gus plants which also love moisture.
In such a situation, and such associa-
tion they are in harmonious setting
and make pleasing sight. In all
cases the natural conditions must be
studied and the imagination must first
truly depict what the future appear
ance will be after the plantation shall
have become established. Only thus
can any really successful and pleas
ing result be obtained.
OF native trees suitable for plant
ing in parks and grounds we have
several species of both conifers and
decidous trees. Of conifers there are
the native pine of the Bad Lands, and
the red cedar. There is also the Black
Hills spruce, which, while not native
within the state, but native of the
Black Hills, does thrive when planted
here.
Elm Favored
Of deciduous trees the one species
which is suitable to most various con-
ditions is the white elm or American
elm. 1t is by far the best species of
tree for streetside planting in this
region. 1t is graceful, clean, hardy,
and very adaptable to conditions.
Next in desicability to the elm as a
tree for strcetside planting in this
region should reckon the native ash,
!he green ash. The green ash is also
quite adaptable and will thrive under
various conditions. While there are
several other species of native trees
suitable ant; desirable for planting in
parks and private grounds, yet |
should say that for streetside plant
ing in Bismarck either the white elm
or the green ash should be used ex-
elusive Of any other trees, and the
white elm most preferable for this
purpose.
For the sake of uniformity there
ought to be agreement that or any
street where the elm is used at all for
stretside planting, all the trees on that
street should be elms; and on any
street where the ash is used at all that
species should be used exclusively for
that street; that is to say, that the
spotty effect resulting from the use
Of more than one species on one street
should be avoided.
For planting IN various situations
within gardens and grounds proper,
back from the street lines, there Is Il
considerable number of native species
Of trees from which to choose accord
ing to suitation and desired effect.
To anyone who has grown up in the
western plains region there is a charm
about our native cottonwood which
makes it desirable for planting in sit
uations naturally suited to it, that is,
on low moist ground. There nee,t be
no trouble from the cotton Of the cot
tonwood trees if one takes care to
plant cuttings from staminate flow