Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-07-10
Trees Under the Law.

A correspondent OF the JDt RNAL III
WAYNE. Mr.. Freeman Manter, writing US
under date OF June 70, says: 81 have
planted a good many kinds Of Maine
trees and some not native TO Maine, and
feel much Interested, perhaps more so in
trees, than almost anything else. Is
there any work that tells OF laws to pro
teet trees planted by the roadside, in
ducements, etc; Now, for example, the
Governor makes proclamation for
Arbor day. Many trees are planted
| by the roadside and cared for. But
the seleetmen, road commissioner
surveyor. or others, cut down many
without even speaking to the owners by
| the roadside or living on the street.
That don't look right. Has surveyor
any right to cut or TO employ one to cut
trees by the roadside against the owners
wishes2 IL has been done here. Where
| is our encouragement to continue to
observe Arbor day: ike to see trees
by the roadside under which the horse
and driver may rest and be refreshed,
but there seems to be men who do not
II there are no laws protecting Arbor
day planted trees, ash, maple, oak, etc,
by the roadside, there is certainly much
need Of fur ther legislation for it,"
We do not know of any book. other
than the Revised Statutes which tells of
laws to protect trees, and know
OF no laws having special refer
ence TO Arbor day planted trees. But
the existing statutes OF Maine are very
explicit concerning the encouragement
to plant trees, and are careful in protect
ing them. Towns may set otiportions of
their streets for sidewalks and authorize
the planting and preserving trees by
the side thereof" and such trees shall
not be deemed an obstruction or defect.
Surveyors under the direction Of muni
eipal officers may plant trees about
public burying- grounds, squares and
ways,' which shall be protected. Land
planted with forest trees is exempted
from taxation for period Of twenty
years. severe penalties are imposed for
cutting down, destroying or injuring any
fruit tree, timber, wood, shrub or
tree for ornament or use Surve yors
of ways NAV remove fences to prevent
the drifting of snow and may dig for
stone. gravel or other material suitable
for making or repairing ways in land not
inelosed or planted, and remove the
same to the ways" II the land from
which this material is taken is not with
In the limits OF the highway. the owner
OF the same shall be paid for the same sin
money" by the town. There is no refer
encc to the taking of trees for the pur
poses OF repairing ways by the survey
ors, unless trees" may he com
pretended in the words, 'other
| material" Of the statute. The new
law passed by the last Legislature Great
Ing forest commission imposes severe
penalties upon persons who set fires upon
land occupied by forest growth, and
holds them responsible for the damage
done. 1t may be deemed necessary to
protect by subsequent additional legisls
ton the trees growing or planted along
the sides of our highways. now that the
state, by recognizing Arbor day, practi-
cally promises protection to the trees
planted on that day. and we should like
to see it done. No one can exceed us
in love and reverence for these beautiful
objects of the natural world, We are
glad that Mr.. Manter has called attention
the views of other correspondents up
| on il.