render them more prominent ; and small groups (¿>), here and there in th e recesses, to varv th cir forms
and conceal their real depths. •'
5832. In all plantations in ih c natural style above tb e size o i a groxxp, the same general principles are
to be followed in the disposition of the trees ; the plants, whatever be their kinds, and whetlier the mass
IS finally to assume the character of a wood, grove, or copse, should be placed irregularly • here thick
and there thin, ns if they had sprung up from th e accidental semination of birds or winds The effect
of this arrangement will not be that composition of low and high, oblique and upright stems, and young
and old trees, and low growths, which we find in forest scenery ; but it is all th a t can be done in imitation
of It a t the first planting ; and subsequent thinning, pruning, and cutting down, moving, rmversing
planting, and sowing, must be used from time to time to complete imitation or allusion, unless the owner
will rest satisfied with an inferior degree of beauty.”
5833. The general fo rm o f tree employed materially influences the effect of plantations. The capacities
of different trees for producing effects in landscape, and the general division of trees into round-headed
oblong-headed, and spiry-topped, have been already pointed out. It has also been observed that thè
greater number of plantations are seen chiefly in profile ; and hence, that the outline which the tons of
th e trees form against the sky or th e background, is the most conspicuous feature in their aspect The
difference between this outline, when formed of spiry-topped trees, as the firs, pines, &c. (fig. 9 4 3 .) ; of
943
ohlong-headed trees, as most of th e willows, alders, poplars (fig. 944. 6) ; and the round-headed sorts as
th e oak, ash, elm, and most trees (fig. 944. a.), is so considerable, as to merit the particular attention of
the planter. Nothing can be more harsh and unvaried than the serrated outline ofthe flr tribe whether
planted m rows, strips, or masses ; whereas th e round-headed trees, even in single rows, produce some
variety of sky outline. The difference is equally great between tho face or front surface of à row or mass
of spiry and of round-headed trees ; for th e great regularity and similarity of the branches of the former,
preclude the possibility of breaks in form, or ** vi,
light and shade, and present one uniform
surface of verdure, not unlike th e side of a
high hedge. The front surface of a row or
mass of round-headed trees, on the contrary,
from opposite qualities in the branches, p ro.
duces prominences and recesses of different
degrees of magnitude, and of different forms
and relative positions. If we look on th e upper
surface of a plantation of each class, we shall
find th e difference equally great.
5834. The situations where spiry-topped trees
have most effect are among rocks, and in very
irregular surfaces ; and especially on the steep
sides of high mountains (fig. 945.), where
their forms arid th e direction of their growth,
seem to harmonise with their pointed rocky
summits. F ir and pine forests are dull,
gloomy, and monotonous in the sandy plains
of Poland and Russia, but among th e broken
rocks, craggy precipices, and otherwise endlessly
varied surfaces of Sweden and Norway,
they are full of variety. In tame countries
they present the most variety when planted so
thin as barely to touch each other, as a t Bear
Wood, and when a number of them are kept low, where th e whole are of different ages (fig . 946.). But
946
the variety produced, even by this disposition, is still fa r short of what would be effected bv a similar
arrangement of round or oval-headed trees ( / g . 947.), of different ages, or mixed with shrubs or low
growths. The most suitable situation for spiry-topped trees, in ornamental scenery, is as single objects
or m small groups ( / g 948.), sparingly introduced in the margins of thickets or strips, or sprinkled along
th e bottoms of dells or dingles. i » r =
In plantations which comprise
masses of all the different p. ,V “ ( a
species of hardy trees, they A m ,
may come in also in their
proper p la c e ; and in mountain
and rocky scenery they
are in th e places which nature
seems to have intended for
them.
5835. TheobloTig-headedtrees
may be introduced much more
frequently than the spiry-topped s o rts ; the more obtuse summits blend well with th e round-headed
trees, and the more acute-topped sorts, which terminate in flexible flame-like shapes, as the Lombardy
poplar, and cypress, form excellent contrasts to the round trees, and serve as transition forms to the
spiry tribes. The round-headed trees, it need hardly be observed, are the most general in nature, at
least m temperate climates, and are th e most universally applicable in ornamental planting. These
considerations on the forms of trees refer to them chiefly as in independent plantations ; in connection
with buildings, the choice, as to form, may often be influenced by that of the building, and also by the
effect intended to be produced by planting them.
5836._ With respect to magnitude, the grand division of woody plants is into trees and shrubs. The bulk
and hmghts of the common trees and shrubs of the country being generally known, the eye estimates the
magnitude of other objects by theirs ; consequently, extraordinary m agnitudes, whether large or small
should only be used under extraordinary circumstances. The apparent size, proportion, and distance
of objects might otherwise be deranged, and a discordant effect produced. Shrubs, which have the form
of tree s, and low trees, as the mountain ash, th e apple and pear, often produce this effect, when planted
as single objects ; and, unless their fruit is prized above every thing else, they should, when introduced
for the sake of their flowers, either be planted in the margins of plantations, or grouped with trees of
th e ordinary size. The finest small groups are of this description, or composed of common deciduous
timber trees and hardy shrubs, as oaks, chestnuts, hollies, thorns, &c.
5837. The choice o f species must be made subservient to general effect, and to the particular purposes
for which different species are calculated. These have been already pointed out (chap. ii.), as well as
their uses (chap. i.), and both should be continually present in the mind of the planter. F o r the more
general purposes of planting, the standard trees of the country, native or naturalised, are mostly to be
preferred, as growing freely and preserving harmony ; for the purposes of distinction, foreign trees are
more likely to answer the end. Foreign trees also contribute greatly to variety and interest, and there-
fore are indispensable in pleasure-grounds, or other scenes of much resort. “ Any number of species may
be admitted mto improved grounds ; commencing with the ra re sorts near the house, as th e centre of a rt
and refinement, and ending with th e common trees of th e country, a t such distances as the extent and
style of the whole may suggest. The proportions of such trees as are only ornamental, and such as are
valuable as riraber, must be in some degree determined by the character of the place, but chiefly by the
taste and view of the owner. Beauty alone, without utility, will not long p lea se; and a few single
groups and plants of the ra re species, in the grounds more immediately consecrated to man, will
generMly attord more satisfaction than a lavish display of exotics: the former will always present a
more luxuriant and thriving display of scenery than th e latter, and sooner attain the m aturity o fbeauty.”
(jbdtn. Encyc., art. Landscape-Gardening.)
.5838. Whatever number o f species are used, only one should prevail in one place ¡ or if there be high or
low growths, then one of each kind should prevail. Great attention should be had that the species
which compose the groups and thickets, o r other scattered woodinesses which border on masses, should
consist almost entirely of the species which prevail in the masses: if this precaution is neglected, instead
of these appendages producing connection and harmony, they will have a tendency directly the reverse
Thickets may next be considered In regard to their form, th a t is, the form of their ground-plan : and
with groups and single trees in regard to the choice of species. Thickets are produced by nature by
th e inroads of cattle, or other animals, grazing or cropping th e herbage, and with it the young trees in
forest scenery. On levels and sheltered situations, we find th eir form comparatively regular, because
there appears no permanent or general reason to occasion their encroachment on one side more than on
th e other. But on varied surfaces and soils a preference is given by depasturing animals to certain
natural plants, and the side on which they abound is penetrated more deeply than th e other. The plan
of the thicket, therefor^ varies accordingly. In elevated grounds, exposed to a particular wind, the
thickets will exceed m length, which wiil be found generally to be in the direction of the storm. The
cause is too obvious to be pointed o u t ; b u t this effect, aiiá every other observed in the groups and
thickets of natural scenery, always merit study, and most frequently deserve imitation in creations of
landscape-scenery _ T h e species of tre e ought obviously to be those of the part of th e mass to which
they belong ; for thickets, groups, and single trees ought to resemble disjointed and broken fragments
from those masses. But in p a rt cular cases, for rendering a prominence still more prominent, or
increasing the depth of a recess, a few plants of similar, or not discordant growths, but of darker or
lighter greens, may, a t a distance, add to th e effect of each. By th e same process, with more contrasted
species, where no other mode can be pu t In execution, the formality of a single row may in some
degree be varied m its situation and contour. (Ed. Encyc., a rt. Landscape-Gardening.)
5839. Ik e arrangement of the species, to effect variety, must evidently be by grouping or collecting
them in masses ; for if all the species made use of were intimately mixed together in every part of a
Slaiitarion, it is evident the eye would meet everywhere the same species ; so that, as far as variation
•om that source was sought for, it would be entirely wanting. Uvedale Price has treated this subject
with much ingenuity; and, in reprobating the common practice of mixing as manr different sorts as
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