| Perhaps if any one feature can be singled out as | | | | at close range. These trees will give a gentle |
| basic to successful landscaping, it is the presence | | | | texture to what would otherwise be an unbroken |
| of fine trees. | | | | and monotonous background surface. In the |
| The unfortunate trend of developmental builders | | | | foreground use flowering shrubs. |
| in cutting down trees in a wholesale manner, and | | | | Then, for the middle ground, use the many |
| the growing use of treeless fields for new building, | | | | medium-sized trees and large shrubs which can be |
| has focused attention on the property owner | | | | singled out for colourful foliage or blossoming. |
| who must begin with nothing when it comes to | | | | This advice applies mainly to new planting. If you |
| trees. | | | | have just bought your property and are thinking |
| Architects agree that a single shade tree, even of | | | | of taking out a tree that blocks a view, or is |
| medium height, can make a very great difference | | | | otherwise objectionable, wait at least a year. |
| in the comfort and liveability of a house It is | | | | Live with the tree, observe it in its various colours |
| amazing to discover what a tree can do for a | | | | through the seasons and carefully consider its |
| house. | | | | advantages as well as its disadvantages, |
| A tree in leaf, for example, can reduce noises | | | | remember that a tree once destroyed is difficult |
| from the street. A tree tall enough to throw | | | | to replace. |
| shade over the roof can materially reduce heat in | | | | Aside from the ornamental qualities of trees, the |
| summer. | | | | two most important ways in which they can |
| Trees can lessen the amount of dust around a | | | | improve your property are by screening and |
| house and provide protection from winds. But | | | | giving shade. Perhaps you are overlooking a |
| there are also the many aesthetic considerations. | | | | chance to use one of the shade trees on your |
| There are the things that shrubs and trees can | | | | grounds for a pleasant gathering spot. |
| do to improve the looks of your house itself. | | | | Put down some paving, place a few deck chairs |
| Properly situated, they can sharply alter the lines | | | | there, and come summer everyone will gravitate |
| of your house. They can give a small house | | | | to this spot. Use the shade of your trees for the |
| dignity; appear to reduce the ungainly height of a | | | | children's area, and if you don't have a tree on |
| tall house; soften the lines of a new house and | | | | the south, southeast or southwest side of your |
| provide welcome contrasts in colour and texture. | | | | house, plant one or two there. |
| You need to plan from the beginning to plant new | | | | If you are using trees to screen off an unpleasant |
| trees that will harmonize with the colours of your | | | | view, use evergreens which will do the job the |
| house and best suit its architectural style. | | | | year round. |
| When you are planning for new trees bear in mind | | | | In deciding what trees you wish to acquire, which |
| the annual cycle of the tree; how long it holds its | | | | you wish to save, take into account their ability to |
| leaves, what its colours are during blossoming, | | | | thrive in your climate and soil conditions. Also, find |
| when it is in fruit or full berry, and in fall, when its | | | | out their rate of growth. |
| leaves change colour. | | | | If you have a new house you will want |
| Plan to contrast flowering deciduous trees with | | | | rapid-growing trees and shrubs that bloom within |
| evergreens; slender trees that owe much of their | | | | two to three years after transplanting. |
| virtue to the colour and line of their trunks and | | | | Sometimes, however, as in foundation planting, a |
| branches—the white clump birch, for | | | | slower rate of growth is advantageous; it means |
| example—with trees that are chiefly beautiful in | | | | the tree will not be bothered by crowding. |
| mass, such as the weeping willow or the new | | | | The shape, colour of blossoms and foliage, height |
| purple fringe. (The latter is a tree that looks like a | | | | and spread, habits — you will want to avoid |
| cloud of smoke when in bloom.) | | | | trees that mess up a lawn or terrace with seed |
| If you are planning vistas for large | | | | droppings or insects—are other important |
| grounds—and this is a useful rule even for | | | | factors. |
| smaller spaces—have in your design a | | | | Think not only of the old favourites but of some |
| foreground, a middle ground and a background. A | | | | of the new Oriental and European imports and the |
| background is most naturally composed of large | | | | many colourful new hybrids as well. And do not |
| trees. | | | | discount the value of fruit and nut trees as |
| Here can be used many of the species of rough | | | | ornamental trees, for many are lovely, particularly |
| and irregular growth which would not look too well | | | | in the spring. |