The Weeping Ash

Within a stone's throw of Liverpool Street Railway Station, and hemmed in by bricks and mortar, may be seen one of the handsomest and healthiest members of the Ash family that could probably be found in the great metropolis. This particular specimen in question is the dwarf weeping Ash (Fraxinus excelsior pendula) which forms during summer a hemispherical head of the brightest pea-green foliage - a glaring contrast to the too oft-repeated yellowish hue of the London Plane. But this is not the only place in town where, during the past summer, we have been charmed with the delightful freshness of the tree in question; for in many of the most smoke-infested quarters, and where even the famous Plane looks sear and sickly, the Weeping Ash forms a noble specimen of the most refreshing green. Good examples of this tree may be seen at Bloomsbury and Holborn Viaduct, as also in the East end of London and in the foul air of Lambeth. There are many forms of the so called Weeping Ash, but that of dwarf growth is most to be recommended for doing battle with the deleterious effects of a city atmosphere. It likewise withstands long-continued heat and drought in a most remarkable manner, in that respect being only equalled by the False Acacia and Indian Bean - two of the very best trees for dry and warm summers.

The Weeping Ash. To face page 58.

The Black Poplar (Populus Nigra)

Next to the Plane amongst forest trees, I consider the Black Poplar the most valuable for planting in smoky towns. As a proof of this, there are to be found numerous fine specimens of the tree in a flourishing condition, and clothed with the most healthy foliage in some of our largest cities - to wit, London, Glasgow, Liverpool, Warrington, and Sheffield. The Black Poplar may be somewhat stiff in outline, but there is, nevertheless, an air of grace about it that is wanting in any other tree I can bring to mind. It is a tree of the readiest culture, while, as to its rate of growth, a specimen of 100 ft. in height has attained to that size in less than sixty years. The wood, unless for a few special purposes, such as cart-bottoms, brakes, etc, is not of great value; but the tree is, nevertheless, a profitable timber producer when grown in suitable soils. Good examples of how the Black Poplar succeeds in London may be seen at Gray's Inn Road, Lambeth, and at St. Giles-in-the-Fields.

The Canadian Poplar (P. canadensis)

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 away 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 reliable for retaining a healthy and flourishing condition under the adverse circumstances connected with a town atmosphere. How well it succeeds may be seen in the beautiful avenue that was formed of it and the Oriental Plane some years ago at Wimbledon Park.