Evening star., 1947-11-30

The use of Towering trees in the
yard and garden Is not new to-
Washington gardeners. Judging by
the number to be seen as one drives
about in late April and May, local
gardeners have found them desir-
able and well worth the cost. Not
only are they to be found in yards,
but several communities have pur-
chased them comparatively for
planting along the streets and park
ings.
Many Washington area lots are
too small for the dse Of towering
trees in addition to the almost
essential shade trees. We do have
to have shade trees to serve as a
background for the home and for
framing" it as well as to provide
some shade during the heat Of sum-
mer, not to mention furnishing a
protection from winter winds. How
ever, there are many yards that are
also big enough to effectively use
these smaller Towering trees.
The ornamental cherries, the
towering crabapples and the haw-
thornes, to mention three fairly
large groups, are well adapted to
local conditions. While few be-
come fairly tall trees when fully
grown, most of them will seldom
reach more than Is feet in height.
If permitted they will spread almost
that far
Used in Background Planting.
The ornamental trees are used
mainly for background paintings but
they are effective in lining walks
and drives. Some are splendid
specimen subjects and their fruits
and flowers may be employed in
many ways for their landscaping
value. Bird lovers will want to in
clude some of the hawthornes to
provide berries for the birds during
the winter.
Some gardeners who desire to have
something unusual in their yards
will select some of the less common,
but altogether desirable small flow
ering trees, such as the Franklinia,
Stewartia, Silver Bell Halesia) or
Styrax. The dogwood properly be-
longs In this group, as well as the
redbud, magnolia, laburnum, etc.
For the shady garden we should add
the shadblow (Amelanchier cana
densis) and the friage tree (Chion-
anthus).
Washington public parks have
long been famous for their flower
ing cherries, although this interest
centers principally about the Yo-
shino (prunus yedoensis), which is
planted about the Tidal Basin. 1t
is relatively taller-growing than the
others. The weeping cherry (prunus
subhirtella .pendula) is Of consid-
erable popularity. but is even taller
growing. The double Towering cher
ries, such as Kwanzan, are the
smaller growing trees, also later
Towering. Desirable varieties OF the
double Towering cherries are Fu-
genzo, with pink flowers, and Shi-
rotae, with pure white, fragrant
flowers Amanogawa, with pale pink
flowers, is distinctively columnar In
habit of growth. Perhaps we should
recommend this tree in place OF the
Lombardy, poplar, which seldom
thrives if this area because Of, q
blight. However, Amanogawa sell
dom attains a height of more thar
Is to 20 feet.
Flowering Crabs.
OF the many Towering crabs, it i
possible to mention only few. Tit
tea crab (malus hupehensisl is I
small tree, seldom exceeding 20 fee
in height and has white or pale pinl
flowers. The fruit is not large anc
because of its color, greenish-yellow
is not conspicuous. The masses o1
bloom in May and its interesting
growth habit. however, make this
one of the more desirable crabs.
The hopa crab CM. hoppD, or red
Towering crab, is another attractive
member of the family. It's red
tinged foliage provides an excellent
foil for the large, deep pink flowers
Tho Ia roc stoUv rad fr1Iit are inter.