New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-05-01
FOR UNIFORM TREE PLANTING
PARK COMMISSIONERS HOPE FOR BET
TER RESULTS UNDER NEW CODE.


A uniformity OF tree planting in the avenues
and streets of this city is hoped to be attained
by the Board of Park Commissioners through
the adoption of a code OF ordinances under
legislative authority in regard to the planting
and preservation of trees in New-York Among
the provisions OF the ordinances are the fol-
lowing:
That no shade or ornamental tree shrub
shall be planted in any of the streets. avenues
public Ihoroughfares of this city until such
tree or shrub shall have been first inspected and
approved by duly appointed employe or ex-
pert OF the department, and permit granted
therefor that no hole excavation shall be
prepared for planting any tree or shrub unless
sufficient mould of satisfactory quality shall be
used. and duly appointed employe or expert
Of the department shall report that the condi-
tons such as the absence OF deIeterious sub
stances have been made satisfactory and per-
init granted therefor; that il shall not be law
full TO attach any guy rope cable or other con
trivance 10 any tree shrub. or to use the
same in connection with any banner trans
parency. or any business purpose whatever, eX-
cept under permit from the Park Department;
that il shall not be lawful to cut deface, mutt
late or in any way misuse any tree or shrub. nor
shall any horse or other animal be permitted TO
stand in q manner or position where II may
cut. deface mutilate any tree. or shrub.
Any person violating these ordinances shall be
guilty Of msdemeanor, and shall on conVlc-
ton thereof before a city magistrate. be pun
ished by a fine not exceeding $50. or in default
Of payment of such fine by Imprisonment not
exceeding thirty days
In the absence of Park Commissioner Wilcox.
who is in Washington, George s. Terry. secre-
tary Of the Park Board IN talk with Trib-
une reporter yesterday outlined some OF the
plans of the department regarding the planting
of trees in this city. He said that DIR. s. B.
Smith, former Health Commissioner and mem
Der of the Department OF Charities under Mayor
Strong, drew up a similar bill three years ago.
It was passed by the legislature but Mayor Van
wyck failed TO approve 1t. In January DR..
Smith submitted a bill to the Park Department.
II was approved by Commissioner Wilcox and
Corporation Counsel Rives. 1t passed the legis-
lature. approved by the Mayor and signed
by the Governor. At a meeting of the Park
Board on Monday the ordinances were passed
after a conference with the officers of the Tree
Planting Association. These included Colonel
c. B. Mitchell president; Charles R. Hender-
son. treasurer, and John Y. Culyer. advisory
architect.
lit is not intended" Secretary Terry went on
to say ito issue any general permits for tree
planting this spring. because the tree planting
season is virtually over. but before the tree
planting arrives in the fall 1t is the in
tention OF the Park Board 10 formulate set of
rules under these ordinances so that there may
: be a uniformity of tree planting in the various
avenues and streets throughout the city Of New
York. The members of the Park Board in
tend TO frame these rules there may be no in
congruous effects in the various streets and
avenues. and il is its unanimous desire TO
grant permits for the planting Of trees that the
effect may enhance the beauty of the city.
whereas the planting given avenue of many
varieties of trees in desultory way will destroy
the effect aimed at.
1T is the intention Of the Park Board to send
a copy of the ordinances TO the Police Com
missioner and to all the police magistrates
throughout the city of New-YOrk, SO that If any
violations of the ordinances passed on April %
are reported by any citizen to the proper au-
thorities, they will have proper data before
them showing whether not there has been
any violation Of the law. The Park Board will
try 10 have intelligent system of planting
trees for the streets of this city, and prevent
planting them where 1t is impossible for them
TO grow"
Secretary Terry, in closing. called attention
10 section OF the bill passed by the legislature,
which provides that in performing the duties
required by the act the Commissioners of Parks
shall make openings excavations in any
street for the purpose Of planting or Cultivatng
trees without first having obtained the written
approval Of the president of the borough in
which openings OF excavations are to be made,
shall any tree be planted in such place or
manner that the ordinary usage OF the street
where the planting is proposed TO be done will
be permanently interfered with, shall the
planting be performed in any to in
lure impair any sewer, drain or water pipe,
or any other structure erected by legal au-
thority.