Melbourne Botanical and Zoological Garden,
12 May, 1861.
Sir, —
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated 10th May,
conveying to me a resolution of the Newtown and Chilwell Municipality, to furnish
results of my experiments in planting trees for useful and ornamental purposes.
In compliance with this request I beg to submit to you some notes on the respective
value of those trees which are more particularly recommendable for lining public roads
and streets on an extensive scale, referring you for information on plants otherwise
desirable for general distribution over the colony, to an article which I furnished
to the transactions of the Victorian Institute in the year 1857.
Defining, therefore, my observations to trees suitable for lining roads or streets
in this country, it becomes of primary importance to decide whether evergreen or deciduous
trees should receive preference for this purpose. For although in general the superiority
of the latter when in full foliage cannot be questioned, it is still to be borne in
mind that in the winterless zone of Australia, long and uninterrupted lines of defoliated
trees do not contrast favorably with the beautiful verdure of our country during the
cooler season. But since in the planting of trees along streets it can be less objectionable
to select deciduous trees, than choosing them for lawns, parks, &c., as predominant
trees, I shall enumerate all the principal species which have claims on our attention,
and shall endeavour to point out briefly their respective merits.
The British Elm ranks amongst deciduous trees, amidst the foremost, as regard hardiness,
beauty, and celerity of growth. Its foliage withstands better than that of most other
trees with deciduous leaves the exposure to hot winds. The elm will readily bear transmission
to distant parts of the country when in a dormant state, and may be moved to the final
places of their destination when it has attained already considerable size and strength.
Being readily multiplied by cuttings, it may be obtained at the various nurseries
in unlimited quantity, and at an extremely low price. The tree is content with poor
soil, enduring considerable exposure, although its luxuriance increases with the fertility
of soil, and under the benefit of shelter against heavy wind.
The Plane (
) is one of the most delightful amongst deciduous trees, both the Oriental and American
Plane having respective merits. By the rigidity of their broad and beautiful leaves,
they possess a still greater power to resist the effects of the hot winds than the
elm. The plane is one of the most favorite trees cultivated for show in Middle and
in South Europe. As yet, however this valuable tree is not available in large quantities
in Australia. Our supplies are chiefly drawn from New South Wales.
The British Oak is amongst the most easily cultivated and rapidly growing trees with
shedding leaves. Whilst in verdure during the spring and summer nothing can surpass
its beauty. But in some varieties, the leaves drop tardily in autumn and winter, the
dead foliage imparting by no means a cheerful appearance to the tree at that season.
The Black or Spreading Poplar is well adapted for lining our roads and streets. Its
firm leaves endure a considerable degree of drought. The Poplar is multiplied and
transplanted with the same ease as the Elm, and purchaseable at a very moderate price.
The British Ash may also with great advantage be grown along roadsides, being hardy,
and of comparatively quick growth.
The Maple is recommendable for its beautiful foliage, and is easy of culture, and
readily transplanted. But its rather tender leaves suffer under the influence of hot
winds.
To the Lime, the same remarks are applicable as to the Ash. If, however, the localities
are sheltered, and the soil good, this tree, as well as the Horsechestnut, the Spanish
chestnut, and the Walnut tree, become highly eligible for lining our walks.
The Chinese and American
s are characterised by very spreading ramifications, and are thus remarkably adapted
for overshading walks. The appearance of the trees is extremely handsome, and in favorable
localities they attain finally a height from 60 to 80
. Their long thorns defend the trees well when grown to size.
The White Cedar (
) retains its deciduous foliage till late in the autumn, a quality which gives to
this fine tree advantages over many others. Its branches are very spreading, but as
the tree does not attain a very great size, although by no means diminutive, it is
better suited for lining footpaths than roads. It is like the
s readily and cheaply obtainable.
The Locust Tree (Robinia Pseudo-acacia) has proved well adapted to our climate. Judicious pruning of this tree is needed,
in order to prevent its being deformed by the fracture of its branches in wet and
stormy weather.
The Japanese
is of rapid growth and remarkable and showy on account of its large leaves. The latter
however suffer from exposure to hot winds, and the tree is easily injured in localities
subject to frost.
The Ailantus recommends itself not merely on account of its truly noble appearance,
but also as of great utility in affording food to a peculiar and liveley species of
silkworm. It is not so rapid in growth as the elm, oak, and some other of the before
mentioned trees.
The White Mulberry is one of the most easily grown and useful trees, probably fully
entitled for selection in planting extensive avenues, irrespective of its great uses
for rearing the silk-worm.
The Japanese Gingko, an excellent tree, would claim our attention were it of quicker
growth. Nor is this fine plant as yet cheaply and abundantly available.
Amongst evergreen trees the Pines rank foremost, whether we regard their noble forms
or the variety of species eligible for being introduced into our plantations. It would
lead too far to enumerate on this occasion all the kinds which could be made available,
but special notice are deserving the Stone Pine, which produces a straight stem, a
beautiful crown of foliage, and abundance of edible seeds. It is this tree which forms
the most picturesque feature in the Italian landscape; and Cape Town is surrounded
with ornamental lines of this tree. From analogy of the climate of its native country
to ours, we may infer, that the Stone Pine is amongst the most desirable of all trees
for avenues in this country.
The Cluster Pine recommends itself also by its adaptation to our climate, and by its
celerity of growth, for being made subservient for lining our roads, (especially A.
Cunninghami, A. Excelsa, A. Cookii and A. Bidwillii)
The Araucarias become also available to some extent for our public plantations, whenever
a moderate outlay to obtain these noble trees is available. The same may be said of
the Deodar. The Lebanon Cedar is unfortunately as yet not plentiful in Australia.
Besides numerous pines we count amongst evergreen trees many species, which combine
the very umbrageous foliage which so charmingly expresses the features of many British
trees with never fading vendure. Thus the Illawarra flour
tree, the wattle trees, the
, the
, and several other trees might be selected for lining roadsides, although much more
difficulty exists in the transport of these trees compared with the deciduous ones
when dormant.
In exposed localities, where it is an object to raise within the shortest period trees
for shelter, nothing becomes more adapted than the Tasmanian blue gum tree; but as
its show
is imperfect, it answers well to interplant its lines with such trees as the elm
or oak, which, when planted simultaneously, will advance independently of each other.
Experiments on the suitability of many other trees, including the Siris acacia, which
is so much cultivated in India, are under progress, and the results of these trials
will be duly brought to public notice whenever satisfactorily confirmed. Finally,
I may state that it will afford me great pleasure to provide your municipality with
such trees from my establishment as may remain, after the already extensive distribution
of plants this season, available, when your preparations for planting will be completed.
Very obediently yours,
F. W.
Mueller.
To the Chairman of the Newtown and Chilwell Municipality.
