The New York herald., 1873-07-02
THE TREES In OUR PARKS.
The Shades and Shadows Of the
Park Commission.
The Rumored Destruction Of the Trees
No Cause for Fear-The Foliage Gen. r
orally Green and FlOurishing.

VlOu Vi every luubDlLdut VI mctTOpOub W tuo
condition OF the public parks and breathing places
The advantages OF these GASES in the midst Of this
great heated mass OF brick and mortar are gener-
ally recognized. and the more numerous the
dwellers in the city become the more imperatively
necessary do such parks become. The beauty as
well as the attractiveness and comfort OF the parks
depends greatly upon the existence OF go0dly
number Of large, healthy forest trees. A
park without shade is anything but attrac-
tive when the thermometer Is In the nine
ties. The cool breezes which are re-
ported to arise from the fountains which throw
their spray in the air do not exist In fact and all
the theories to the contrary are inadequate to
satisfy tired and dusty pedestrian who pants for
q cool, shady corner IN which to rest.
ALL APPRECIATE THE PARKS.
The lovers who nestle away from the busy w0rldv
seeking under the cover Of some widely branching
elm the seclusion which an unfriendly mother de-
niles them under the parental roof; the portly old
market woman who always occupies settee to
the windward OF the fountain, and who fans her.
self with her apron; the mOrose and detected
woman who has lost all that is dear to her save ife
and the quiet man of business who strolls into the
Park from his lunch TO enjoy cgar-all OF these
and thousand other classes Of people assert their
rights and demand that the trees in the PARKS
shall be kept in good condition.
ARE THE TREES DYINGS
The startling rumOr that many Of the trees were
dying in the public parks for want OF proper care
has been current for several days. Many pedestri-
ans, as they stroll through the small uptown park
let's, have remarked upon the extraordinary lack OF
pruning and digging which mas marked this Spring,
ana they have only added strength to the rumor
regarding the certain death OF many noble forest
trees which now shade the walks and drives. To
ha droa1 Of ha cholera Can
scarcely be more appalling than the threatened de-
struction of the trees.
THE DISASTER TO TREES
1t Is a well known fact that the severe Winter OF
1912 had bghting effect upon the trees in Gem
tra Park, from the effect OF which many have
not even yet recovered. In the Central PARK
alone 1858 trees were killed by the excessive cold
This Spring visitors TO the Central Park will have
noticed that the leafng OF deciduous trees and
shrubs was much earlier than on the previous
season. In the Spring Of 1872 1t was discovered
that nearly every individual Of certain species had
been killed. 1t has been proven, even during the
past Winter. that certain classes OF shrubs cannot
endure the cold of this latitude, though they are
wrapped IN straw.
It would appear that although shrubs and treeA
fare much better in Central Park than in ordinary
nurseries, many strange facts are ascertatned re-
garding the hardihOOd OF vegetation brought from
various parts of the globe. Species con-
sidered perfectly hardy are, during the Winter
season, sometimes seriously affected BY the cold,
while others, which have been regarded as tender
and which while young are protected from the
frost, have, even when left wholly exposed, es-
capped uninjured. Trees introduced from far north
ern forests Of other parts OF the world as Alaska,
Siberia and Norway, have Jared very badly on sew
eral occasions: On the other hand, numerous
OF Europe and the north OF Africa have seldom suf-
fered materially. These strange facts are not due
wholly to the merely local causes, but there Is
some distinct reason for the death i'll each case.
The life growth and death OF a tree is In a great
many respects like that OF an animal. The con-
stituents of diet and healthy quarters are by no
means small matter in the growth Of a tree.
THE BLIGUTED TREES.
Many of the trees which to-day wear blighteA
appearance owe their premature decay to the
great and very fatal cold snap on the 18th day OF
bitter wind, with sleet from the northwest The
thermometer fell in a few hours from 81 degrees to
II degrees. Every branch was covered N with cicles,
twenty-fOur hours. The course OF that storm OF
sleet and wind can be traced from the Rocky
Mountains and 1t came sweeping around by way
OF the lakes at the rate OF 500 miles per day.
THE PRESENT SPRING
has been exceedingly favorable to the growth OF
is no reason to expect that any great number of
the trees have been fatally blighted during the
past Winter season. The evergreens which were
transplanted two years ago are almost, without
exception, dead or withered beyond the hope Of
recovery. The trees ,, IN son
appear to be In a generally healthy condition.
The new fountain which has been placed IN the
park has, doubtless, some effect upon the foliage,
and goes very far toward keeping the green in the
boughs. Several large trees which were transpanted
this Spring are apparently the greenest in the
plaza. In the reconstruction OF this well.known
square much taste has been displayed in the ar
rangement Of the walks, and the trees are SO
parts OF the park, rather than being excessively
close in some and very open in other parts.
WASHINGTON SQUARE
neeos the attention OF the Department at once.
The plan upon which the new park has been
laid out is an exceedingly good and nd. popular one
through it as really divides 1t into two parts as
Second avenue does Stuyvesant square. The large
fountain in the centre Is worthy repository iOr
numerous gold fish, which are much admired by
west side nurses and urchns. But there ID some
thing which Is of lar more Importance to those
who frequent the Park or who take pride in the
Identification OF the CITY, and this Is the unhealthy
condition of some OF the large trees. 1t Is ac-
several feet in some places, and the earth thus
thrown up around the trunk OF the tree has, in
large naples on the eastern side show unmis-
taxable evidences OF decline.
THE BATTERY.
There are many trees in the beautiful green
known as '"rhe Battery which should be at once
trimmed and otherwise cared for. The unhealthy
appearance IN great number OF cases. is doubtless
due to the use of street dirt around the roots. the
dust OFF the streets in many Instances is very in
Jqrous to- the g.I growth OF trees tree or or
effect of destroying vegetable lite. 1t
contains large percentage OF salt. Those por-
uOnS OF Tie BaLDcTJ WHICH nave uu-
changed as to their grade contain the healthiest
looking trees. The past Winter has not had any
very serious effect upon them, and there is no
serious apprehensions further than stated above.
Bowling Green is just as snug and cosey and its
old trees many OF Colonial antiquity, have Just as
bright foliage as they have worn In past years.
They proof against all blightlng storms OF rain
or snow.
THE OTHER SMALL PARKS.
In Madison square ana Gramercy Park the trees
trees III remarkably good condition. Considering
the thorough overnauhng which the former received
last year. IL Is 10 be wondered at tnat the trees
have survived as well as they have. In TOmpkins
square the Department has not set out any forest
trees. Reservoir and Stuyvesant squares have not
been filed up or regarded to any serious degree,
and the trees have apparently escaped. all blight
ing effects Of the Winter The trees are generally
healthy. The deaths have not been as numerous
by half as they were last Spring, The trees now
under the ban those smtten In the Winter Of
1s7l-2, or those which have been injured by grad
ing.
ITALIAN BRIGAEDAGE.