These are trees that have a very slender shape, with a narrow and long crown like the whole stem; typical examples of this are the common cypress in the var. striata and the black poplar cypress or pyramidal, called from the Anglo-Saxon poplar of Lombardy (Lombardy poplar) because, according to some, this form was precisely selected in Lombardy.
Fastigiate Populus nigra var. italica, the cypress poplar now so widespread throughout the world, is a typical example of a fastigiato tree. It is widely used, not only for its shape, but also for its rather rapid growth. A bearing of this kind is also found in many other plants such as Cupressus sempervirens var. stricto, Taxus bacata fastigiata and Carpinus pyramidalis.
Many of these trees are matrixes, deriving from trees with normally expanded foliage; in this case, the fastigiate form is not preserved when the trees are reproduced by seed and consequently, to maintain this characteristic, important from the ornamental point of view (just think of the landscape value of the cypress, in its characteristic shape, widespread especially in the countryside and in the parks of Tuscany), plants should be multiplied by cuttings or by grafting on normal feet. However, some species, such as the magnificent American conifer called the libocedro (Libocedrus decurrens), naturally have a fastigous crown which is then transmitted to the lineage even by seed reproduction. Trees of this shape can have a useful application when they are used where space is limited, as in plantations in rows along the streets and in small gardens; they also have a considerable ornamental importance, especially if they are wisely used exploiting its contrasting shape with the expanded foliage of other species. Evergreen plants, mostly conifers, are then successfully used to form barriers and guards around houses and gardens. In the central and southern areas and along the banks of the large pre-alpine lakes, the common cypress can be successfully used, var. striated; It is often used for the same purpose, but with questionable aesthetic effects, the Cupressus arizonica, glaucous in color, originating in Mexico and the United States. The pyramidal black poplar (Populus nigra var. Piramidalis) is also widely used. Are then often used fastigiate forms of maples, beeches, plane trees, white poplars, oaks, birches and other species that can be purchased by nurseries who breed them only for ornamental purposes.
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