Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-08-02
4nopnEY K1nEINa TREES.
The Overhead Wire Held Responsible Il
Their Destruction.

The Overhead Wire Held Responsible for
Their Destruction.
Electricity.
The single conductor overhead trolley
system has apparently much to answer
fol, 1t is held responsible for damage
to underground pipes amounting to
thousands of dollars, and now another
grave sin has beer registered against 1t.
We refer to what might be termed the
electrocuting of trees, regarding which
prominent resident OF Bay Ridge,
Brooklyn, has this to say:
Five years ago there was the finest
natural archway of trees between Sixty
fifth street and Fort Hamilton to be
found within the limits Of Greater
New YORK. Now, for blocks at stretch,
one tree, at least, out OF every three 10
blasted, and the others. though they
are in leaf in the summer, are losing
their vitality, and are surely doomed
unless the destroying influence can be
averted in some way.
II am confident that IL the public
knew at the time the wires were strung
| through the trees the effect the leaking
electricity would have there would have
been such kick that the wires would.
at least, have been more carefully
strung. Tho public understood that
| the wires were covered with insulating
material, aud that even, as in nearly
every case, when they touched or
rested on branches, the trees would be
safe.
II have talked with electrical ex.
perts since then and have been told
that there is no such thing as insulating
material through which electricity will
| not slowly make its way. II Is only a
matter of time before II will leak
| through any material in such way as
to destroy anything the wires may
happen to be in contact with. ! think
something should be done to save the
rest of the trees. Their destruction is
an act of vandalism.
The residents of that locality claim
that in damp weather electric current
leaks through the insulation of the
trolley feeder cables where they come
In contact with branches OF the trees
and passing through the latter seeks
the ground. In support of this theory
1t is asserted that not long ago tree
fell, when an examination of its trunk
revealed the fact that 1t was decayed
and hollow through greater part oil
its length. 1t is also stated that wher'
ever cable touches Q branch u
speedily shows sign of decay and
eventually dies. There are any number
of trees in this condition in thai
vicinity that before the trolley wal
built put forth abundant foliage.
That escaping electric current is re
sponsible for this condition of affairs II
, very likely, for the best OF Insulation!
| will occasionally break down after beinl
long in use, and there is no doubt blu
, what wet tree offers an excellen
} grounding medium. 1t Is rather diff
| cult, however, to explain why an cleo
tric current at a comparatively low vol
, tage should cause tree to decay ant
/ rot, especially when it was reported
| from BRUSSELS, Belgium. some time ag
! that stray trolley currents vera stimu
, lating the trees along certain ayenu
in that city and causing them to pu
. forth an unusual number Of blossoms.
, However, the condition Of affairs II
. Bay Ridge would seem serious enougl
{ to warrant careful examination bein
/ made, after which, If the trolley com
: panies are found at fault, steps shoul
( be taken to compel them to insulat
4 theii conductors more thoroughly, OF
better still, SO to run their cables tina
the leakage of current to tree woul
be impossible. Such action would sery
as a precedent and might in futur
prevent similar condition of affair
elsewhere In fact, it is the least thf
, is due to the residents OF that vicinity
= who naturally take proper pride J
their surroundings.