Arizona weekly citizen., 1883-03-18
Shade Trees.

As many property owners are engaged
 Tn or preparing for, the setting out of
 shade trees, the question of a proper se-
 lection of variety Is an important con
 sidsration. Many cultivate the cotton
 wood because of its rapid growth and
 inviting appearance during the summer
 nonths, as well as because of its hardi-
 ness. In this they commit grave error.
 Not only has Tucson reason to regard cottonwood with disfavor, but other
 towns in the Territory are discussing them. In Phenix an effort is being made to replace them with other vari-
 cites, on sanitary grounds. There is Do
 question but the cottohwood merits dis
 favor on several grounds. In spring
 time they shed light, feathery pollen,
 which floats through the air in fine par
 tlcles, sometimes presenting the ap- pearance of falling snow. Inhalatlon Of these particles p.oduce very severe irritation of the bronchial tubes and air passages, resulting occasionally in se-
 Tlous inflammation nd permanent pull
 mouary troubles. Tore are not few
 people ID Tucson who have experienced Tn some degree the disagreeable effects spoken of, and can trace the cause di- rectly to the cottOnwOods on the lower lands adjoining the Santa Cruz bot toms.
 The Tombstone Epitsph ably discuss es thls question, and suggests a substi- tute that experience has proven to be far superior to any known ornamental tree for this and similar climates. The Epitaph says: "The tree planting boom that now is in progress here gives excellent promise for the future beauty and comfort of our city. But it IS to be regretted that the prevailing choice seems to be for cottonwood trees, the convenience in procuring them and their thrifty growth being the cause of their selection. Experience in other towns has shown the undesirRbleness of thIs species of trees for yard ornaments ton. When they have attmned g con siderable grow h the ar Is filled with 6 heecy down that grows as parasite on their limbs, their dead leaves make n.tant inter ir the fall. but worst oi all. tt Is climeG that they produce malaria. it was noticeable in Sacra- mento, Cal. whose streets were planted with cottonwood trees, that the general health of the city seemed to grow worse year by year, predisposition of the | population to chllls and fever being | strongly noticeable. This was eventually | suspected to arise from the exist | ence of these trees, and upon | their removal a marked improve ment was noticeable. In marked 1 contrast to the sanitary effects | of this tree has been the planting | of the eucalyptus, or Australian gum. | Transplanting them to this continent | has been but of a comparatively recent | date, but so great fayorite have they | become on account of their beauty. lux | uriant foliage and rapid growth, that a | country home in California Is hardly | considered complete without some of | these trees upon the grounds. It has | also been discovered that they exert | remarkable beneficial effect upon the at | mesphere, ridding 1t of malaria, probably | owing to the fact that the leaves possess | 8 large quantity of volatile oil which is | constantly inhaled. Instances are known | of locations almost uninhabitable by req sons of missma becoming comparatively | healthy after the growth of these trees. It is said, also, that the leaves possess IS probable that the trees would grow well here, though the weather does get cold Tn the winter. The ex- perience of their culture IS well worth | trying, and if successful the cottonwOods now being planted could be replaced by them in another year"