The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-11
SAVANNAH'S VARIED FORESTS.
MORE KINDS OF TREES THAN MOST
ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY.

OSiSt SudM = Interesting he-
port to the Park and Tree Commi
siOn-His Suggestions For Beauti-
flying the Parks and Squares.
Mr.. George B. sudworth has returned
to Washington. after spending week in
specting the trees and investigating the
conditions of tree life in the vicinity of
Savannah.
Mr., Sudworth is the dendrologist of the
forestry division of The department of ag-
riculture, and was especially de-
tailed by the department TO
make this investigation, by request of the
park and tree commission of Savannah.
His report will be completed in about two
weeks, when a copy will be furnished the
commission. 1t will be printed later and
generally distributed throughout the south
for the benefit and information of horti-
cultursts generally in this section.
If Mr.. Sudworth should make no official
report the verbal Information which he
has already furnished to the members of
the park and tree commission would be
Of great assis tance to them. Besides in
specting the fora of the city, Mr.. Sud
worth spent several days in the woods
around Savannah, accompanied by men,
bers of the commission.
The commissioners were much gratifed
at the information furnished by Mr.. Sug-
worth after completing his investigation,
that a greater variety of trees grow natur-
ally around Savannah than anywhere
else in the United States, with the single
aycanfiOr Of Captra1 10
Mr.. Sudworth said the commission and
the citizens of Savannah generally are
especially fortunate in being able to get
all natural varieties from the woods
around the city at the least possible ex-
pense. OF the forestry in the city he
said that the foundation for tree work
is excellent, and that the opportunities
for fully beautifying and developing this
forestry are as good as he has seen any,
where. He approved the commissions
idea of a nursery at Estill park for grow
ing trees to be transplanted to the city. A
tree twice transplanted, he said, makes a
better tree than one grown where ii
sprouted The pruning of the roots at
each transplanting gives a better root de-
velopment affording a firmer hold upon
the ground. He also approved the loca,
ton selected for the nursery.
Mr.. Sudworth informed the commission
ers that there are over 200 varieties of
trees which grow naturally in the vicinity
of Savannah, and that in addition to this
the conditions are suited to the growth of
many other fine varieties not indigenous
to this locality He furnished the COM
mission with the following casual list OF
trees suited to their work, which 1t would
be well for them to plant at once in their
nursery: Magnolia, sweet bay, red pay,
blackberry, red maple, hickory, white oak,
live oak 1.-TWO species), Spanish oak, pal
black gum, beech, black walnut from seed
and trees), black cherry, Usage orange,
holly, red bud, cedar, lagerstromia, syca-
more, tulip tree, cypress and long leaf pine.
OF the long leaf pine MIR. Sudworth
said he was not positive that it could be
transplanted. but he believed it could be
DONE and he advocated that the expert
ment be made. The cypress, he said,
when grown by itself, makes beautiful
tree, and IL grown from seed upon a dry
soil will thrive well in a city. The cypress
has been generally regarded heretofore
as a swamp tree and unsuited for city
cultivation.
Very few cedar trees are found growing
on the streets of Savannah, but Mr.. Sud
worth found them growing freely in the
woods, and many of hem fine trees. He
also introduced the members of the COM
mission TO new variety of
live oak, having larger and
different shaped leaf from the va
riety which is already well represented in
the city. The above list, Mr.. Sudworth
said, would be increased considerably in
making out his report.
Mr.. Sudworth was Intercepted as to
the best method of planting trees in cities,
whether the best effect would be obtained
by interspersng different varieties or
whether each street should be planted in
a single variety. He unhesitatingly gave
hi CT off fc
created by devotng each street to a sin
gle variety, the impression created by a
fine avenue of trees of single variety
being one that is not easily removed.
The report will embody tabulated list
of all the varieties of trees native to this
| locality, with statement of the qualities
of each. In addition to furnishing a list
of the trees most suitable for planting in
the streets and parks of Savannah, Mr..
SudWorth was asked TO give in his report
| a percentage table, showing the compar-
alive excellence of the different varle-
ties recommended on the following points:
Endurance and vitality under city life,
longevity, strength of root system against
overturning, strength of limb system
against wind breakage, recuperative pow
err from damage, beauty of FORM foliage
and flower rapidity of growth, freedom
from insects, fungi and disease, cleanl-
ness, duration of foliage and period OF
same, density OF Snade. lie was also ask
ed to give information on number of
other points bearing on the planting, rear
ing, growth transplanting and care of
trees
DR. II. w. Chapman of Appalachicola,
Fla, is now engaged in preparing a work
on the flora OF the south, the appearance
of which is looked forward to with consid-
cradle interest by the members of the COM
mission. DR.. Chapman is one of the most
distinguished bOtanists In the ITnttAd
States, and is the recognized authority on
all matters relating to the flora of the
south He has published several works or
this subject already, but the work now in
course Of preparation is expected to be
the most complete yet published. DR..
Chapman is a distant relative Of Mr.. p. d.
DafIin Of the park and tree commission of