Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-20
SHADE TREES OF WASHINGTON.

ASHINGTON. ID. c.. TC
SHADE TREES OF WASHINGTON.
The DefoIiation Of Caroline Poplars
Explained-Tree TRIMMING.
| TO the Editor Of TIE EVENING stan.
For several weeks the defoliation by nature Of
the Carolina poplar trees has been going on
and many have been the remarks and queries
a. to the shedding or untimely dropping Of the
leaves OF this particular tree planted along the
streets and avenues Of Washington. II the
inquisitive observers viii give . few moments'
| inspection Of the trunks, the large limbs
| and branches, they will discover innumer-
| able SUGGESTIONS Of vertically formed fur
| rows or seeming fresh rents or cracks, or split
ting OF the old outside rough bark. This Pc
cuilar operation or process Of natures laws is
excessive this season and is owing entirely to
the unusual rainfall, so completely soaking the
SOIL OF the earth that the roots Of the poplar
nave become so succuient ~ to produce an IN
creased now OF sap, causing rapid, rank, thick
growth and expansion of the iber or inner skin-
like coating. This expansion. being outwardly
and laterally around the circumference of the
trees, diverts and checks the fow Of the sap
from its usual vertical or upward capillary
course through the cellular formations and
norous texture OF the wood Of the trees. and
owing to this diversion of the sap the young or
spring growth Of tender branches and twigs are
deprived OF the required supply OF sap for their
nourishment; consequently the leaves must de-
tach and drop off, as they do not adhere to the
wood by any ibrous provision of nature, but
merely by sap adhesion. The growth Of the
poplar tree has been most excessive the past
six months. and 1t is remarkable the trees con-
tinue to survive under the shamefully reckless,
nn4clanf1nn mi
mutilation and Disagreement thereof
UNNECESSARY TRIMMING.
This undue Topping and splintering Of young
vigorous trees-limbs and branches-is being
continued to such an extent yearly that the
original towering symmetry Of the trees is be-
ing transformed into most unsightly, distorted,
crinkled, crankied deformities, with splinter ed
projecting stumps, and their forest-like beauty
and identity entirely destroyed, particularly
wherever tree is deprived Of its vital mem
berthe main central or crown lmb-in which
case an internal canker or rot decay will inev-
ltably occur; consequently in a very few years
scarcely perfect or sound vigorous tree will
be found In our city, and will not this
be glarlng commentary on the intelligence
and practical experience Of the so-called park
ing comnission2 And it is q crying shame
to permit SO important q duty as tree culture
to be entrusted to gang Of ignorant negro
wood choppers and unskilled, indifferent white
supervisors, whose greatest zeal and acquire
ment appear to be an undue desire to furnish
load upon load OF fire wood only. Possibly the
excuse may be that the towering growth Of the
poplar Is 30 great that their long extending
limbs and branches are more liable to the effect
or force OF wind and storm. Such is but poor
excuse, for whenever trees growth is so rank
and towering 1t IL far better, in case of the
fracturing or breaking e limb or branch, to
apply little extra labor and skill and bind
such limb properly, which would heal and save
it, and not require as much time or expense as
Ii required in topping of a number OF limbs
and branches from other trees.
SYCAMORE TREES
One or two seasons past the caterpillar pest
was 30 serious as to almost entirely destroy the
foliage Of the luxuriant and towering native
buttonwood or platanus occidentalis. COM
monty known as the sycamore tree, and, owing
to the destructive insect, a most unusual
amount Of wood chopping was unnecessarily
and recklessly INDUCED in, especially along the
whole extent Of 9th street southwest and 18th
street northwest, after which excessive mutila-
ton the Topped trees looked like a vast success
sion OF discarded, unused ships masts with
thousands OF out-stretched, irregular and
Invested yard arms, spars booms and gaffs
Fortunately this season has afforded q con-
tinuous copious supply of moisture, which is the
sycamores greatest and most needed delight,
necessary to preserve its life; otherwise many
OF said trees so mutilated might have ere this
yielded to decay and become fuel for the flame
or consumed for such purposes as the dense
hard wood has long been used for, such as
wlndlasses, blocks, wheels, and sometimes, in
OF common violins, and particularly, in by-gone
days OF our granddsds, Tor the making Of those
mammoth one-hoie wooden disks termed but
tous, and generally used, when properly COW
ered, for old-time overcoats cloaks and other
heavy apparel Thus the name of buttonwood
n mil 10 -
use than from its seed ball.
The more beautiful cone-shaped outrageous
less-towering species platannus orientalis,
planted along many streets Of South Washing
ton, and especially along the two main Wake
and western front approach to the Capitol,
have thus far escaped the vandalism OF the
wood Topper, as also the caterpillar pest A
popularity Of the sycamore or buttonwood
tree is that 1t casts its bark in order to add to
its growth Of body, limb and branch, and this
casting or shedding OF the outer covering is
now going on in irregular detached fragments
of its thin brittle bark.
NEGLECT OF LoMBARDY poPLABs.
Somewhat in connection with the foregoing
! arboratorial subject may be considered and at
tention called to the fragrant and yearly con-
tinued neglect Of proper needed pruning of the
row of Lombardv poplars planted along b
street from 18th to l4th streets, in front OF the
Agricultural grounds. So encountered and dis
Inquired are the bodies OF said trees by the rank
and excessive growth Of sprout twigs and shoots
that the natural and regular lofty growth and
symetrical form Of each tree are almost entirely
checked by an absorption Of sap supply by this
rank twig growth.
II is not little remarkable, as well as a glar-
ing shame, that so great neglect Is permitted
30 long to continue
Querie, who is to blame? J.S.G,
Maryland Knights Templar Coming.
The Baltimore Sun today says there are
five communicates in Baltimore, with $50
members. which, with the Grand commandery
of Maryland, will be represented in the grand
conclave to be held in this city in October.
Each will be accompanied by band Of music
The Grand commandery of Maryland will have
its headquarters on Pennsylvania avenue.
Maryland commandery, No. l. h. Il. Pete,
eminent commander, with the Baltimore Light
Infantry band. and Monumental commandery,