The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-01-13
ELECTRIC LIGHT Kills TREES.
Destroying Branches That Are Near Them
-Treea Ned Sleep

Trees Need Sleep.
Electric light Is killing the trees Of
Chicago. This is the discovery which
has been made recently by mem inter
ested in botany and forestry, and al
examination has convinced the skepti.
raj of the truth of the statement
Since the city was lighted by the
big arc lights, which are placed at the
corners of the principal streets and II,
the middle of some of the long blocks,
many of the trees have been gradually
dying. The decay has been slow, but
that Is has been sure Is perfectly true
IN the opinion of those who study trees
with care and can note the changes
in their physical health day by day
just as a physician can notice the slow
growth of disease in the human being.
OF late the decay has become marked,
so that il may be noticed by the layman
as well as the trained scientist. Dead
branches may be noticed on many trees
in various parts of the city near electric
Crc lights. Most of the trees, within
Is feet Of arc lights, which have been
placed in their present position moro
than a year or two ago, are dying rap
idly, nnd are nearly stripped 10 their
lowest branches. And then on the
other branches the lraves have not
been as plentiful as In tho past
The nearer the tire is to the light
the greater the damage and the faster
they decay under the influence OF the
electric light, but even those within a
hundred feet Of the arc lights feel their
influence, although to a modified ex-
tent.
A stroll around the city shows che
same condition Of affairs everywhere,
and those who have investigated the
matter have convinced Themselves be-
yond the possibility OF mistake that
the electric light Is rcspoazihe for the
injury. and st Is not a. some might |
suggest. due to the smoke and no1ious |
atmosphere Of the great city.
A scientist interested In the matter |
has been corresponding with botalsss
in other cities. and he finds that the |
same decay Of trees placed near eleet1c
lights Is noticed In every city, I: Is
evident in Montreal ana Phii-
sdelphia. the two best IigAted cites OF
ih. American continent
The .rces begin 70 lose their lesves
and thr branches TO gradually decay
On top CT on The side facing The iighh
ard gradually losing them dow,wsrt
The theory Of bo:anIs;s Is TIA; The
injury IS due 30 tse fac. thai TIE light
has the zane effect TIA. & vorid hs-e
On human being who WAS cornpeLeS
10 live Constantly within ia glare III.
trees are unable 20 slcey - night
When they. Ike tho rsxt CO nature need
'Ieep the gr-n: gisrfng e'eos-la Aghts
prevent = Trees sre Unable On live n
Utmost eternal Day. Tsev are III. thu
est Of nature. wheiAer a1rrala or
slzntH and demand re,f
II f. the theory 81 sozns wise scientific
E'en tha. :he electric llyh. Il not only
for injury - plant rs. "a
IS immediate vicinity. bur THAI !. las
"a rfs-ioos ~<,er; On ,nzn- Tier are
aid By SOM % be Responsible for h1s-
Fan sight d<seels ard E~--,usnsss and
TIE GAR Q: tae ii~hts IT,
urex TIE eyes sHd rsa;ses Ezc-ezs>t
e-rors-ess. The Iig4:x t5erzs<ir<s
flea interfere 20 scze ~r.ez- With re
lcra az ;no>c who are n thesr irs--e<i.-
e sis.n5sT-CAiesSo Ias~-H~<1 /