Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-05
CARE OF CITY TREES.
The Spring Planting Season is Near
at Hand

The spring planting season is almost here
and the District parking commission, of
which Mr.. Truman Lanham is superinten-
dent, is preparing to begin work after
a respite during the winter months In
the District nurseries the principal one of
which is located near the site recently
purchased for the proposed municipal hos
pital at the head of 18th street. near Rich
mond street, many young trees are being
made ready to do future duty In shading
and making beautiful the streets and ave-
nues of the capital city. Late last fall the
employees of the parking commission pre-
pared a large number Of tree spaces in
newly-laid sidewalks. Rich soil was placed
there to the depth Of a foot or more and
the ground will be ready for planting when
the weather permits. The commission will
begin work as soon as there is assurance
Of no more heavy frosts
1t is the recently adopted policy of the
Commissioners not to plant District trees
In any locality where public improvements
such as the laying of curbs and sidewalk
have not preceded the request for the
trees. Oftentimes in the past where trees
nave been planted on streets before the
same were graded or improved in any per
manent fashion 1t has been necessary to
cut down healthy and well-grown trees in
order to make way for the modern cement
sidewalks: Now. In all residence sections
cement sidewalks, when laid contain at
frequent intervals tree spaces
Captain H. c. Newcomer. assistant to
the Engineer Commissioner, has SUPERVISION
Of the surface division of the engineer de-
partment, in which is included the park
ing commission. Captain Newcomer has
recently urged upon the Commissioners the
advisability Of asking additional funds
from Congress for the purpose of carrying
out on a larger scale the work of the park
ing commission, upon which depends much
Of the future beauty of the residence
streets Captain Newcomer declares that
the urgent need of larger appropriations
for the parking commission must be ap-
tent Of its work.
There are some 50, 500 trees" he SAYS,
ALREADY planted and in need of frequent
attention. To cultivate these trees to re-
the younger ones with wooden boxes and
the older ones with wire netting, to trim
the trees suitably, to protect them from
the ravages of destructive worms and in
usual appropriations If the trees received
all the care needed for their best de-
veiopment. Already there are frequent
criticisms of the work that are unjust only
Gals in charge than available funds will
enable them to do.
Besides the trees. which constitute the
chief object Of the commissions work,
there is the care of parking spaces which
makes ever-increaSng demands upon the
limited funds Moreover, the growth of the
city inevitably leads to most urgent re-
quests for extensions in the lines of trees
and the newer sections should not be de-
prived Of this feature that constitutes one
Of the principal elements in the beauty
Of the city. 1t is confidently believed that
no other expenditure Of an equal amount
could contribute as much to the comfort
and pleasure Of residents and guests in
the city, and we earnestly hope that in
creased appropriations be made common
surate with the needs and Importance Of
the work.