Evening star., 1940-11-09

maple ash and chestnut IKE we'll
A third consideration is the rapi
lem. for most of us do not want to
wait 25 to so years for a tree to
reach an appreciable size. On the
other hand. many of the rapid
growing trees are comparatively
short lived. Some, like the scarlet
and willow oaks, the sweet gum and
the tulip poplar, are fairly rapid
growers and last reasonably well.
Another problem for the home
owner is the growing of grass be-
meath his shade tree. Some trees,
such as the soft maple and the
American elm, are surface feeders
and it is impossible to grow grass
beneath them. While under others,
such as the sweet gum, the tulip
poplar and the birch-grass grows
readily.
The relative freedom from dis
ease and insect pests is the last
point. Some trees are frequently
attacked by disease or insect pests
and the growing of them is a bur-
den. The sycamore, which seemed
such a good tree for city conditions.
is now troubled by disease that
defoliates it in the early summer.
The elms are sometimes bothered by
the elm leaf beetle, although not as
often here as farther north. The
tulip poplar is occasionally at
tackled by the magnolia scale, which
In tiY,oa u-ilI bill II
Scarlet Oak
Desirable.
Among the most desirable trees
Is the scarlet oak (Quercus coc-
cineaD. OF fairly rapid growth, it is
long-lived. The Handicapped open
head and tap roots do not interfere
with the growth of grass. 1t prefers
a well-drained soil, and is relatively
free from disease and insect pests.
The name scarlet oak is derived
from the brilliant color of its fall
foliage.
The sweet gum Giquidambar
styracif1ua) is close second to the
scarlet oak in desirable character
istics 1t should be transplanted in
the spring and at the same time
pruned severely. The symmetrically
shaped head and attractive foliage
make it especially useful as speci-
men tree. The fall foliage is very
colorful as many OF you have no
doubt noticed while driving toward
Chesapeake Bay. The sweet gum is
seldom troubled by disease or in
sect pests. 1t does, however, have
seedballs which need to be raked
up before moving the lawn in the
fall. However, this latter point may
we'll be overlooked conside- .Ag its
beauty.
Another tree frequently seen in
nearby Prince Georges County is
the willow oak (Quercus phellos)
Of fairly rapid growth and attrac-
tive shape it is not planted as often
as it should be. The best appear
ance is obtained by keeping the tree
well nourished. 1t does not make
q rapid thrifty growth in poorly
drained soils. The name is derived
from the leaves which resemble
those OF the willow Tree.
The pin oak (Quercus palustris)
Is the third member of the oak
family to be claSsed as of reasonably
rapid growth. Many people choose
it first, inasmuch as 1t is very
attractive specimen. How
ever, the lower branches droop,
and unless it is planted to one side
out of the way they may be a
nuisance. Annual pruning will
readily overcome this habit. The
pin oak does better on the heavier
clay soils than either the sweet gum
or willow oak.
White Ash Is
Rapid Grower.
The white ash (Fraxinus Ameri-
cana), commonly called the Ameri-
can ash, is a rapid growing tree
that does we'll in most fertile soils,
but it is to be found also growing
on dry hillsides. The rapidity OF
growth may offset the trouble some
times had from borers. The borers
are easily controlled where one is
periodic inspection of the trunk
willing to take the time to make a
otherwise it is not greatly troubled
by pests.
The hard maple (Acer sacchar-
um,, the sugar maple Of the North
Is a splendid shade tree, although
of slow growth. Those planted a
few years ago along Sixteenth street
to the north of Spring road are
making a line showing now. While
rather shallow rooted, they are not
nearly so troublesome as the soft
maple.
The sycamore or planetree Pla-
tanus) was formerly widely planted
as shade tree because 1t tolerated
city conditions so we'll. With the
coming of the sycamore blight it is
not so popular as formerly. How
ever. the blight is not difficult tc
control and is only troublesome in
wet seasons while the leaves are
still small. The rapidity of growth
resistance to drought and the east
with which grass may be grown be-
meath it should compensate for the
occasional necessity of spraying
The American planetree Platanus
occidentalis) and the London plane.
tree (P. acerifolia) are the more
commonly planted members of this
family
Among the evergreens the pine is
the most rapid grower, but many
object to its so-called gloominess
The falling needles to many is &