The Sugar Maple (Acer saccharinum)

The Sugar Maple (Acer saccharinum) is a handsome, hardy, and fast-growing tree of moderate dimensions, and one that can justly claim a place in any list of town trees. It will not succeed where constantly subjected to smoke and fumes, but planted in the suburban districts it soon forms a really handsome and distinct tree.

The Common Mulberry (Morus nigra)

The Common Mulberry (Morus nigra) and the white-fruited (M. alba) may be seen growing satisfactorily in several of the old gardens and nurseries of the metropolis, and 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. In London, too, there are many fine old trees of the Common Mulberry, as in several of the public squares and gardens at Bermond-sey and Stratford and throughout the East End generally.

The Honey Locust (Gleditschia triacan-thos)

The Honey Locust (Gleditschia triacan-thos) is a tall, spreading tree, one of great beauty, and 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. It grows very freely even when rather carelessly planted, and in soil of inferior quality. In autumn the long fruit-pods give to the Honey Locust a distinct and curious appearance.

The Sycamore (Acer Pseudo-Platanus)

This tree may be classed as amongst the most useful for planting in smoky towns. In Warrington, where the noxious emanations from alkali and other chemical works are most disastrous in their effect on trees and shrubs, the Sycamore is one of the few that grow satisfactorily. Being a rapid and strong grower, it is thus seen to be, for a certain time at least, unaffected by its inimical surroundings. The variegated variety would seem from recent experiments to be preferable and better adapted for smoky localities than the normal form.

The White Beam Tree (Pyrus Aria)

In many of the confined spaces in London, Liverpool, and Glasgow, the White Beam tree grows luxuriantly and produces annually great quantities of its brightly coloured berries. The creamy white of the under-side of the leaves is particularly attractive when agitated by the wind, and the wealth of small white flowers is a treat to behold. Few trees are more readily suited with soil, for it may be found in a state of nature growing on dry limestone rocks, where there is scarcely a particle of soil.

The Beam Tree, For Smoky Towns. To face Page 72.