New-York tribune., 1901-02-25
POPULAR OBSERVATIONS.
TREE PLANTING IN CITIES.
IT ADDS TO THE COMFORT AND HEALTH OF
RESIDENTS. Mr.. MITCHELL SAYS


To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: A recent editorial which I understand ap-
peared in The American Architect Of Boston
sves credi, u, the efforts OF the Tree Planting As
sociation IN New-York City and draws attention 10
the annual increase IN the number OF trees tnat
have been planted since the association was organ
lied but II expresses the wish that some statistics
could be taken 70 illustrate the effect Of the tree
panting in cities as closely built New-York City
upon the health OF the people affected, and he goes
on 10 state that 'as a matter Of fact the streets
which now possess such trees are in many cases
gloomy through the shading OF the lower windows
OF the houses and III smelling through the influence
OF the trees in checking the circulation OF air over
the roadways and cutters"
ANY discussion that relates the health. comfort
and pleasure Of the vast communities congregated
in cities is most interesting. and should command
wide attention. The inquiries made by the writer
of the article IN question are easily answered oy
the almost universal testimony Of members or the
medical profession that the effect Of trees is strictly
beneficial 10 health; but as the inquirer asks Tor
statistics I would refer him and all other inQurers
10 an exhaustive article this subject written by
DR.. Stephen Smith and first printed in "Appletons S
Popular Science NJ nthly" for February, 1899, en-
titled Vegetation a Remedy for the Summer Heat
~ Cities a plea for the cultivation of trees.
shrubs plants vines and grasses on the streets Of
New-York for the Improvement OF the public health.
for the comfort Of summer residents and for orna-
mentation.
subject The limits IF this article will not admit
Of giving the statistics that he published, but he
shows conclusively that the mortality Of the city
is greatest during the heated months. and that
trees cool air purify the atmosphere by absorb
ing the noxious gases and emit oxygen, the element
essential 10 animal life Dr. Smith illustrates the
cooling effect OF trees on the surrounding atmos-
phere by the Washington elm, Of Cambridge,
Mass, tree OF moderate size, but estimated sew
eral years ago producing crop OF seven million
leaves, exposing a surface of hundred thousand
square feet or about five acres Of foliage"
Again, 'the shade of trees protects the earth from
the direct rays OF the and prevents solar irrad
alton from the earth. This is Of immense impor-
tance in cities where the paved streets become
cessively heated and radiation creates one Of the
most dangerous sources Of heat Whoever has
walked the streets OF New-York on a hot summers
days protected from the direct rays of midday
sun by his umbrella. has found the reflected heat
Of the pavement intolerable." II for moment he
passed into the dense shade Of a tree he al once
experienced marked sense Of relief. This relief is
not due so much 10 the shade as 20 the cooling
effect OF the vaporization from the leaves OF the
tree.
In the January number Of Park and Cemetery
and Landscape Gardening page 252 conhrmatory
evidence is furnished in q somewhat scientific
article on street trees. a few extracts from which
furnished below:
Trees have a sanitary effect upon cities. They
purify the atmosphere They act as a refrigerant:
The rerigfFSiing pGWeT OF gde%1ag ueeT sgGT 70
During all seasons trees maintain a mean tempera-
ture Of - degrees Fahrenheit. Excessive and pro-
longed heat LIBERALIZATION, sickness ana death
From the above Z IS evident that trees have a
wholesome influence upon the residents OF cities by
purifying and cooling the atmosphere and affording
shade.
There is statement in the article first alluded
10 that would indicate want Of accurate knowl-
edge on the part of the author. namely that clause
in which he states that matter of fact the
streets which possess such trees are in many
instances gloomy through the shading OF the lower
windows Of the houses and i'll smelling through the
influence of the in checking the circulation or
air over the roadways and cutters" This associa-
tion has published many photographs OF streets
best supplied with but IL has Yet
learn Of houses that are Unpleasantly
shaded, and there is certainly not one street that
I'll smelling unless from some other cause. IN
fortunately the older have rule, been cut
down. while those recently planted cannot as yet
furnish the shade that is so much needed in our
streets.
Instead of checking the circulation Of air they
aid it Every characteristic OF the properly selected
tree favors the comfort and health Of the citizen
and trees add 10 the beauty or the streets, TO
their attractiveness for residential purposes, and
therefore value Of the properties where they
planted, il behoOVes all who wish TO enjoy their
beauties and benefit by their advantages plant
trees. This be successfully done soon as the
frost is out Of the ground. Yours very truly,
CORNELIUS B. MITCHELL
York City.
I'll zF Col