Plane Tree in Regent’s Park
Trees
The Oriental or Common London Plane (Platanus orientalis acerifolia).—This variety of the oriental plane stands first in the category of select town trees. Not only does it grow vigorously in towns, but it is peculiarly well adapted for withstanding smoke and other impurities of the atmosphere. Repeated experiments have clearly proved that in London this tree flourishes better than any other, and a visit to the Thames Embankment and several of the urban districts will substantiate the statement; while the fine old tree which still exists in Cheapside, and the equally beautiful specimen which has hardly room for perfect development in the Court of Stationers’ Hall, Ludgate Hill, afford other examples of how well suited this handsome tree is for doing battle with the adverse conditions peculiar to the great metropolis. As a diversity of opinion has existed about which variety of plane it is that grows with such vigour in and around London, it may be stated that, on a careful examination of a large number of specimens, the variety P.O. acerifolia was found not only more commonly distributed, but, likewise, better suited for town planting than the typical P. orientalis. This valuable variety is readily distinguished from the normal plant by the less deeply divided leaves, and from the American plane (P. occidentalis), with which it is sometimes confounded, by the many fruit “balls” which are attached to each peduncle, the fertile catkins of P. occidentalis being, for the greater part, produced singly.
But not only for its value as a town tree is the oriental plane much sought after, but the giant proportions to which it attains, coupled with the handsome, finely-cut leaves and easy habit of growth, render it one of our most desirable ornamental trees. Further, it is of the easiest culture, succeeding extremely well in soils of very opposite qualities. Taking everything into consideration, we question whether any other of our forest trees is equal in value to the plane for purposes of town planting.
The Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo biloba).—The maidenhair or ginkgo tree is one of the most valuable that can be planted in the impure atmosphere of a town garden. Few trees can compare with the one in question for withstanding the deleterious effects produced on vegetation generally by coming in too close contact with the impurities of our great centres of industry. The ample delicate-green foliage betrays—even late in the season, and when about to be cast off—little evidence of the fierce struggle that must almost constantly go on between vegetation and the smoke and filth of our towns and cities. That the thick, leathery leaves and strong constitution of the tree play an important part in keeping it free from disease is clearly evident, while the annual renewal of the leaves enables it to cast off the sooty nodules which work such havoc on the tender foliage of most evergreen trees.
At several places in and around the great metropolis—and in places, too, where one is almost stifled with the fumes from chimneys—this tree may be seen in almost as fresh a condition as those in the open country.
The Ailanthus or Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus glandulosa) may be seen in a very flourishing condition in many of the largest centres of industry in Southern England. It has been largely planted in many Continental cities, and has proved itself one of the few trees that is capable of withstanding the impurities of a town atmosphere.
The Black Italian Poplar (Populus monilifera).—Next to the plane amongst forest trees I consider the black Italian Poplar to be the most valuable for planting in smoky towns. As a proof of this there are to be seen numerous fine specimens of this tree in a flourishing condition, and clothed with the most healthy foliage, in some of our large cities—to wit, London, Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester.
The Canadian Poplar (P. canadensis), and its variety, P.C. nova, are excellent trees for planting in smoky localities. The former succeeds admirably in the very centre of Sheffield, in the old parish churchyard, where for hundreds of yards around not a particle of living vegetation is to be seen. The variety nova is a very superior tree for street planting, it being far more ornamental, and of more rapid growth than the black Italian poplar, and equally noticeable for retaining a healthy and flourishing condition under the adverse circumstances connected with a town atmosphere.
The Abele Poplar (P. alba) grows with great freedom when subjected to smoke and foul air. In the very heart of our largest towns it may be seen flourishing in a manner that is almost incredible.
The Lombardy Poplar (P. fastigiata) is another tree that has been planted with some success in and around many of our largest cities, but it cannot equal any of the foregoing for withstanding the baneful effects of a tainted atmosphere. In the outskirts of towns, where air is purer than amid chimneys pouring forth their volumes of smoke, the Lombardy poplar succeeds fairly well, and imparts an air of grandeur that could hardly otherwise be obtained.
The Cucumber Tree (Magnolia acuminata).—Few planters are aware of how valuable this tree is for withstanding the germs and soot of large towns. Experiments have, however, resulted in this highly ornamental tree being added to the list.
The Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera).—Excellent examples are not wanting of how valuable a tree this is for towns and streets. It seems to have a wonderful recuperative power, for, scorched, blackened, and encrusted as may appear the falling foliage, yet in the following spring it again puts forth a garb of the freshest and richest greenery. The remarkable four-lobed, truncate leaves render the tree almost without an equal for ornamental planting, while its undoubted smoke-resisting qualities place it high in the rank among town trees.
The Indian Bean (Catalpa bignonioides).—For various reasons this fast-growing tree is to be recommended for planting in smoky localities. It grows with great vigour in many smoky centres of industry, is a tree of handsome proportions, and, when fully established, flowers freely.
A valuable trait in the character of the Indian bean is that should accident befall it, and the stem get injured, numerous strong suckers are produced, which, as they grow with great rapidity, soon take the place of the original.
The Common Mulberry (Morus nigra) and the white-fruited Mulberry (M. alba) may be seen growing satisfactorily in several of the old gardens and nurseries of the metropolis, where they are now buried alive, as might be said, in stones and mortar. That they are excellent town trees will be admitted by every one who sees the fine specimens in Liverpool and Manchester.
The Honey Locust (Gleditschia triacanthos) is a very suitable subject for planting in smoky localities. In many of the worst smoke-infested parts of London and Manchester are seen goodly specimens of this handsome tree—not poor, miserable trees, but, from their great size, wealth of foliage, and general appearance, betokening perfect health amid their rather adverse surroundings.
The False Acacia (Robinia Pseudo-acacia).—Almost by the hundred can the false acacia be seen in London and many other English towns, thus proving that it is one of the most valuable trees that we possess for withstanding the injurious effects of an impure atmosphere.
What renders this acacia of greatest value as a town tree is that it retains its rich verdure till well on in autumn. The varieties known as Decaisneana, inermis, microphylla, macrophylla, sophoræfolia, and the upright-habited are most to be desired.