Evening star., 1950-02-19

hemlock. a forest tree. if there
ever was one, may be kept to a
width of 3 feet without detri-
mental effect and to a height
of 6, 8 or 10 feet. The
Siberian elm CASUALLY sold as
Chinese elm) may be kept to a
low height and narrow compass
with two or three prunings a year.
The rich-appearing evergreen,
upright yew (Taxus cuspidata
capitata) requires only one prun-
ing year, but it is so slow grow
ing that most gardeners would
rather have the desired screen
more quickly even though they will
be required to give more attention
to its care in future years.
There are a few columnar trees
suitable for this purpose. The
fastigate forms of sugar maple
and tulip tree are promising, while
the maidenhair tree (Ginkgo
biloba) and the Katsura tree are
other possible substitutes.
If the lot will permit of a hedge
or screen planting of S, 6 or
8 feet, we may use many
shrubs and low-growing trees
that tolerate heavy pruning. Or,
it is possible to use a narrow type
of planting in the background
with Towering shrubs in the fore
ground. The lilacs, mock -orange.
deutzia, rugosa roses, althea and
many others that grow from 6
to 10 feet in height will aid in
providing an attractive screen.
Tree and Shrub Combinations.
Where a combination OF small
trees and shrubs may be used
the choice Of plant material is
almost endless. And. Of course,
with such a screen planting the
required pruning is limited to a
renewal system, for the shrubs
and the trees will need only to be
kept within bounds and restricted
as to the desired height.
So far, the width of the screen
planting has been stressed, but
there are a number of other char
acteristics which a shrub or tree
must have if it is to be effective.
One is its ability to live and thrive
under the conditions of your
yard-soil, sun or shade, moisture
and care to be given. Only a few
shrubs thrive satisfactorily in sun
and in shade. The yews and the
hemlocks are outstanding in this
respect, although the American
and Japanese hollies, in suitable
soils, make excellent evergreen
hedges.
Shade is not always the deter
mining factor. since competition
with tree roots for food and
moisture is far more serious. If
they can be controlled or counter
balanced. several other evergreens
and deciduous trees and shrubs
may be used successfully.
Al-Year Hedge.
If an all-year-'round hedge is
desired, the choice may be limited
to the evergreens. The various
arbor-v -vitaes are frequently used
for this purpose, although we
might well vary our selection
somewhat While the American
arbor- vitae is most readily avail
able, there are others such as the
Rosenthal and Swedish which do
not grow so tall although they are
more spreading at the base.
Practically every kind of hedge
plant may be planted in the spring.
If the soil is to be enriched,
especially for the evergreens, the
necessary compost. peatmoss or
leafmold should be secured and
incorporated into the soil. Hem
locks, holly and the yews benefit
from quantities of leafmold or
compost. In addition, the soil for
most deciduous shrubs and trees
will benefit from the use of bone
meal or ground limestone.
The planting distance will vary
according to the kind of shrub or
tree.