Urban Trees The Continental—especially, I think, German—practice of planting fruit
trees by the side of roads is urged with force by a notable owner of trees in the county magazine for Hertfordshire. This idea and the more general subject of tree-planting in town and suburb ought to he scientifically studied by the new town-planners. By far the best examples of the art that I know are to be seen in the first garden city at Letchworth, and some of the worst in the North of London. A good many trees are bad neighbours, among other the ailanthus, or Tree of Heaven, which enjoyed a strong vogue at one time. Trees such as the elm, which sends out suckers, or the poplar, which sends out long, shallow roots, are to be avoided. On the other hand, the apple has almost all the virtues. It is not excessive in size, it roots deeply and does not, lite the plum, sucker ; it is lovely in flower, handsome and useful in fruit, and the leaves are not troublesome. Perhaps the diploids are to be preferred before the more robustious triploids. It is surprising how very little imagination, or indeed knowledge, has been shown in tree-planting, whether by roads or in towns. London, for example, may be called 3 plane tale ; and the few substitutes for the so-called " London plane" are ill-chosen. Scores of varieties both of pyrus and prunus are ideal!) suitable. It is odd that the rowan, which is associated with the roughe.t, wildest places, should be so congenial to urban conditions.
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