The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-08
SPARE THE TREES.
Land Owners I'm Seattle Making . Mis-
take In Totally Destroying Forests.

take in Totally Destroying Forests.
SEATTLE. July 2, 1891.
To THE EDITOR: 1t seems pity that the real
estate phase of the wonderful growth OF this
advantages of its location. As for scenery, posi-
ton as regards the health of the inhabitants,
natural beauty OF location, and all that goes to
make striking and popular place for residence
and business, there are but few cities that can
compete with it But each new addition il
temporarily spoiled by the total denuding OF
the ground OF its once magnificent trees. 1t il
undoubtedly true that for building purposes
the land ought to be cleared. But the effective
manner in which the clearing is done, WILL it
seems to me, work great injury to the looks of
the city, and materially retard . proper devel-
opment Of its advantages. To shear of at once
the majestic trees with the underbrush, appears
almost vandalism. No finer forests are seen in
the United States than once were seen on the
shores Of Elliott bay. Now, from the harbor, it
looks like 3 semi bald man or one with weeks
unshaven beard. In a land once thick with
shade there are now hundreds of acres destitute
of any but the most unattractive vegetation.
No noble trees greet the eye, and from q dis
lance one is reminded of the arid lands. What
would be more attractive than lot with few
trees of the original forest still standing? Uni
versty place owes its beauty solely to its trees.
III purchaser of a lot on newly plated addi-
ton wishes the trees taken OFF, he has that priv
iless. But to leave no choice, to offer Is place
OF residence lots shorn of the accumulated
beauty of years, is positive detriment / can
understand how an occasional speculator 10
found who is inappreciative of the large trees,
but that there has been such unanimity Of in
appreciation 10 certainly startling. How do you
account for it?
Think of . tract where the underbrush has
been cleared away, where sprinkled at reason
able distances are left standing some of the "irst
fruits OF the soil, - where shade from the sun 10
not at premium, where the work of years has
not been undone by the axe, and then compare
the scene with what 10 now seen everywhere in
the less improved portions of the town. It 10 too
late now to make this plea. The injury 10 done
In large measure Except in patches, the town
from the hsrbor 10 an unsightly place. The
buildings are fine but the view is spoiled Even
the second growth Of trees is being peeled of.
Those who defend the practice of "ciearing"
city lots in the way they are cleared, should
have the privilege of living for few seasons on
the plains. Perhaps few years life there with
rolling prairie or q sandhill, or an unlimited
expanse of sagebrush for a daily view, would in
still into them some realization of what nature
had done for Seattle. II the mischief was done
before the land was plated. these criticisms do
not apply. But in case the timber has been
taken of by the present owners, the timber 10
often burned-not even sold. fear that neither
at present nor for very many years to come, viii
the landscape OF Seattle com pare with that OF
the Eastern coast or of England The improve
ment OF the soil can be done at any time, but
trees are OF slow growth, and time, at least of
this generation, will not repair the ravages OF
minimizing or reckless land owners
NJ R Roos