Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-02-08
Trees in City Streets.

I'm Interesting controversy on the utility
or Otherwise Of trees in streets and open
! spaces has been lately going on here in the
columns o! the local press. The controversy
arose out OF Il discussion in the International
Hy9icnc Congress, which was held here in
August. and DR.. Piaehaud member of the
/ congress. has since contended, in q letter ad-
/ dressed 10 the .]Ournui tic Genrre, that trees
I in streets do more harm than good, that
/ they impede the circulation of air. and that,
aS for the shade they afford, people who do
not like sunshine have only to keep on the
shady side of the street. Instead of plant
/ ing more trees in towns, as some propose
| hc would rather, in the Interests Of hygiene
remove all existing trees. TO him replies
Froi. Gorct Of the university, who, though
an eminent physicist and chemist, discluims
amy special knowledge of medicine or
! hygiene. He treats the matter from an ex-
/ clueire!y common sense and scientific point
of view. 4. for people who want shade
keeping always TO the shady side OF a street,
. nc points ont that, a5 streets have generally
SHOPS and houses Oh either side. DR..
! Plachand's advice in this regard, how
! ever Ingenious, can hardly be regard,
ed rs practical. But the functions of
/ trees III streets are not limited to act
! ing as screens for sun-shunning wayfarers;
they temper the heat and serve us protec-
! tion against dust. The evaporation from
their leaves tends to keep the surrounding
| air cool and moist. One of the best means
Of refreshing the air of a sick chamber is to
! place in it plants and branches and sprinkle
them with water. \ like effect is produced
by trees. Sunlight is necessary to health;
| but trees. if moi too thickly planted, do not
intercept sunlight the perpetual vibration
OF their leaves and swaging of their
| branches admit the light every in
| Stant. and IN sufficient measure, and serve.
moreover, to protect the eyes from 1henoor-
day glare. So far from trees impeding the
circulation Of air they help TO purify the
air; the evaporation from their leaves de.
| tcrnncs 81 current from above, and the
| fresh mir thus brought down helps to drive
away The heated and dust impreenated
gasses Of the streets Another useful prop
eriy "t foliage is that, while in hot, dry
weather it moistens the surrounding at
mosphcrc. thereby rendering it filter to
breathe, this effect which is due to evapora-
ton, ceases i'll wet weather. Trees, moreover
| act rs purifying gagents by absorbing carbonic
! acid ana giving out oxygen. But the action
o: trees on the air is far less important than their
'I'iibt ui lilc SOIL lNClT roofs draw IN Starulut
waters and absorb the organic matters contained
| III the filth from which tn" streets Of 4 town are
| never free, and which. after iniiltrating the
ground. are frequent cause of frvers and infcc
! ton Trees. i'll fact, have the same effect on the
auh>"i "i towns as fields have on tho contents of
! their ScwcrS-thcy act ;s disn n(ectauts Takiup
these facts into consideration, Prof. Gorct ven
| lures t" differ from the conclusions Of the Hygi
enic Congress, and strongly recommends the plant
ing OF trees i'll streets and squares. But they must
be planted with Judgment They should be two
| or three metres apart. and the branches should
not he allowed to come in contact with the build
! lnSS near which they grow. The sorts best adapt
ed for street planting are those which grow t.
considerable height and spread ont their branches
| Tho fashion that prevails i'll some Continental
| cities of cutting trees down to uniform size is
! highly Objectionable. The branches of trees so
treated become impervious to light, and tho shade
they give. although deep, is too crcunscribed to
he of much uSc.--Gfncra Letter Ia Lomdon Times