University of Virginia Library

Tree Planting.

We are apt
to forget that

28. BRIDGE COTTAGE.

DOUGLAS AND FORDHAM.

Architects.

a newly created village or town does not reap all its benefits at
once. Not only as regards the results of growth in trees and
shrubs, the development of gardens, and the mellowing influences
of time and tone, but also in relation to all the amenities of social
life, we must wait for those influences which can only come in a
gradual process. The subject of trees alone, of the best method
to deal with living growth, is not finished with for some time, if
ever. Some of the avenues at Port Sunlight are charming now,
and show an admirable balance of effect between trees and buildings.
Down the avenue of poplars one of our sketches (Pl. 3) shows how delightfully the Club and the Library peep out, and
how well the vista leads up to the Post Office beyond—so in some
of the winding roads the effect even in summer is just right. But
trees keep growing, and unless the houses are to suffer they will
have to be cut down and some removed entirely. Then, again, the
Diamond (Pl. 2) (which in spite of its name is a great oblong
open space), bordered by groups of cottages and bounded at one

29. THE GYMNASIUM.

W. & S. OWEN, Architects.

end by the new Art Gallery, will very well bear all the height the
trees will ever reach. This is a very fine open space, and borders
of big trees will help, and never belittle it. Possibly the secret of
successful planting amongst cottage houses is to have plenty of
slow-growing evergreens, and forest trees only at intervals. It is
quite certain that if the garden spaces at Port Sunlight were
punctuated with decoratively placed evergreens, and inclosed by
living borders of box or yew, the result would be both pleasing
and long-lasting. The open spaces now secured should make for
ever pleasant oases amongst the long lines of houses, and even if
all the tree avenues had to go, there would still be left much to
excite the envy of those who have to live in our dirty old towns.

One of our sketches shows the avenue which leads to Christ
Church from Greendale Road (Pl. 13). It is obvious that the
sturdy breadth and dignity of the church will never lose anything,
however lofty the avenue becomes. Unfortunately we cannot
afford the space in the thoroughfares for the trees so that they

30. THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.

J. J. TALBOT, Ar hite t.

will not be a trouble to the buildings some day. The only
possible way would be to plant them down the centre of the
roads, so keeping the traffic in the two opposite directions in its
right place. This is a counsel of perfection, but it has been done
where wide road spaces were practicable.

It will be noted that at either side of the Diamond the land
round and between the houses is bordered by a low wall through
which steps lead up to the pathways. The effect is very pleasing
and might be repeated in other cases with advantage.