New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-23
TREES IN CITY STREETS.

The proposal TO place all trees in the streets
Of this city under the care Of the Park De
partment calls attention anew to the lack OF
arboreal shade and decoration OF the streets,
and the desirability of increasing II. From
time to time some one of the organizations
formed to promote the work makes some utter
ance urging the planting of trees, telling how
il may best be done or protesting against the
destruction Of such trees as are already in ex-
stence We suppose considerable heed Is paid
thereto, and the organizations are really doing
a good work. But it is painfully evident that
the work goes forward too slowly to afford
much ground for hope of seeing New-York
made city of shaded streets. On few streets
trees have been planted. but for every one
such there are many as bare of vegetation as
the heart OF the Sahara.
The facts to be most seriously taken into
account, We believe, are that most people think
il impracticable to grow fine trees in city
streets, and that our streets are managed, or
mismanaged as to make 1t as nearly i'm
practicable as possible. The former. it need
scarcely be said; is an utter delusion 1t is
quite possible to grow trees in the streets Of
the largest cities, and have them almost as
perfect and as longlive as those in rural high
ways or even in their native forests. Ample
proof Of this is afforded by other cities. But,
of course. certain conditions must be main
tanned The right kind of trees must be Sc
lectcd. They must be properly planted and
cared for. And due regard must be had to
keeping the soil about them in proper state
All these, and some other things. can readily
be done and if done will insure a fine growth
of shade and ornamental trees along the streets
that are now shadeless and unattractive
The second obstacle to tree-culture which we
have named is the mismanagement of the
streets. The various conduits for gas. water.
electricity steam and what not have been
laid in a hltor-miss fashion. and are often dis
turbed or broken. The result is that the soil
has become saturated with gas and other nox-
Ous elements, roots of trees have been cooked
or burned by tho proximity OF hot pipes, and
what effect electric currents turned loose among
them VIII have Is a matter for serious appre-
hension. The frequent excavation OF trenches
In the streets. generally close TO the curb re-
suits IN the cutting off OF half the roots OF the
trees. Pavemcnfs are improperly laid too;
sometimes the stones being placed so close to
the treetrunks as TO prevent their natural ex-
panslon and TO cut great gashes In them and
sometimes the asphalt being laid In solid sheets
close around them, Theoretically sealing the soil
away from contact with atmosphere and rain
In properly managed city all conduits would
be inclosed within central tunnel readily ac-
cessible without disturbance Of the street and
without danger of the slightest leakage into
and contamination of the soil. There would be
also, n certain space Of open ground. perliaps
only few feet in extent, left about each tree
In such conditions trees would be almost as
much AT home on Fifth-ave. as In the heart OF
the AdIrondacks.
The planting associations are doing
good work But their efforts should be directed
not merely TO the planting of trees, but to the
securing of conditions favorable to their
growth. Little by little we are coming TO a
realization of the selfish and barbarlc character
OF much Of our so-caed civilization. Cities
have been pouring their waste and filth into
whatever water lay at hand. 10 It's unspeakable
deilement. They have been destroying park
lands and trees. without n thought Of their
value or Of the difficulty OF replacing them
They have built streets In the most haphazard
and unsclentific fashion. They have made OF
themselves marvels Of arid uglness. And then
they have cyncally confessed that, while God
made the country, man made the town. One
where men are most congregated together there
will the standards Of comfort and Of utility
and Of beauty. too. be highest, and the works