No garden is complete without at east one or more trees. A tree, in fact, is often the most inspiring factor in a landscape. Now that summer is here shade trees will prove of great value. But remember that in addition to protection from the sun they also provide fragrance, flowers and fruit. In a word, trees are the backbone of every garden.

An exceedingly popular combination for lawn areas is three white birches planted in a triangle. The bark adds real distinction to this specimen for it is a pure white. The white birch provides a very pleasing contrast with its green leaves set towards one side of a lawn and with a white house for a backdrop. This is a scene that is difficult to beat for simplicity and beauty. Several birdies are available but one of the host is the European white birch, known botanically as betula alba. This is splendid for the average-sized landscape as it usually stops short of 30 feet tall.

One of the most popular lawn and shade trees is the evergreen elm. Like the white birch, it can be accommodated on most landscapes, growing to just about 25 feet at maturity.

Closely related to the evergreen elm is the Chinese elm, which is noted for its amazing growth. It is a very hardy individual, succeeding, equally well by the coast or in the hot interior. It tolerates heat, cold, and gets along fine with very little water.

If you wish to get excited about a tree. .. and it's possible, then the tree to select is the sweet gum, known to your nurseryman as liquidambar styracidua. It is just about the only tree that will provide in your full garden the gorgeous color so famous back enst. The large leaves, which are maple-like in appearance, turn red and bronze during the autumn months. The liquidambar attains a height of about 20 feet at maturity.