In the exuberance of youth I planted Birches and Poplars in places where Gums and Cypress Pines would have been much more congruous and beautiful. Now as I go tottering from the hill I see in Lombardy poplars, and all their suckering tribe, only pitiless reminders of my own past mis-deeds! I stand in awe before many another imported species - awestruck by the stupidity of our ways; so many indigenous trees are really so much more inspiring in woodland and forest.