Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-05
PROTECT THE TREES
DAMAGE BEING DONE THEM
THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
Horses Bite the Bark When They
Are Not Covered With Wire
Netting.

speaking ABOUT matters OF CITY I'M
| pIovement from artistic view said
| public spirited citizen this morning. Il wish
to call the attention of the proper District
authorities to a point about the protection
of the beautiful trees which line our streets
and which constitute one of the principal
charms of the capital.
THE fine old trees which line Pennsyl-
vania avenue beyond the Congressional Ii
brary are mostly unprotected by wire net
ting and in many instances the trunks are
badly marred by the teeth of horses. These
trees are almost plumb with the curb and
ought to be inclosed without delay in the
netting.
In fact, while recently strolling on Capt.
toll Hill observed that but few Of the trees
were protected by the wire netting. Con-
tnuing my observations in the different
parts Of the city | was surprised to find how
limited were the number of trees thus pro-
tected. had always entertained the contrary
opinion, and had often stated to my visiting
friends. in telling them how much better
We did things in Washington in this re-
spect than is done in other cities, that all
of our trees were thus protected.
While all of the young trees set out
along our streets are protected by secure
braces of wooden picketS, all of the larger
trees are not protected by wire netting.
Even in the northwest business section of
the city, as, for instance, on the west side
Ol 1.tll street between TSllHSylNduld ave-
nue. and f. street, out of thirteen trees three
small ones are without screens. On the
east side of 18th street, opposite The Star
building, out Of eleven trees three large
ones are without netting. The trunks of
all these trees are badly SCARED by the
teeth of horses.
All Trees Should Be Protected.
II observed that these two instances
| might be duplicated all over the business
Of
stantiy standing at the curbs. If trees are
worth having at all they are worth protect
ing from the teeth of horses, and horses
will naturally bite the bark of trees near
the curb unless the trunks are protected by
netting of wire.
1T is evident to any observing person
that the wire MEETINGS around the trees of
Washington need a general renewal and
| new ones put in place by the hundreds. 1t
is probable that an insufficient appropria-
ton prevents liberal distribution of these
MEETINGS might be desired. If this be
| the case l will offer a suggestion. An in
creased appropriation could be obtained
| from Congress by simply taking few snap
| shot photographs of the trees which line
| our streets with torn bark and trunks dis
| figured by the teeth of horses. if mere
! words and recommendations are unaVail-
| ing.
These trees do not mature properly, de-
| velop lop-sided, or die They must be re-
placed by new trees at additional cost, and
| the pubilc Is deprived OF the benent OF TIE
| shade of fully matured trees.
! 1t may be urged that the initial cost of
placing wire MEETINGS around all Of the
| trees in Washington would be too great
| but l am sure it is proceeding which
| would prove cheaper in the end, if We
| must figure everything down TO a mere
| money basis The few thousand dollars it
would cost at the outset would be imnleas-
| urable as compared with the ultimate re-
| suit attained. Once the trees were all pro-
| tected the cost of maintaining the screens
would not be heavy. In any event, the
| trees in the business sections Of the city,
| and upon the principal streets and ave
nues. ought to be thus protected, and care
| given to see that the screens are kept in
good order.
How to Reach Congress.
~ am quite certain that if any one will
| take the trouble to make the necessary OBJ
servations they will be as surprised to note
how fine trees are being ruined in many
cases by the teeth of horses l was The
conviction will at once be brought home
that specific appropriation should be ask
ed for. and if the snap shot Photographic
process be resorted to. members of the re-
spective District and appropriation commit
tees cannot but admit that the time has
come for bestOwiug much care upon
our trees than we have in the past.
ITO the lover of nature it is a heart
breaking sisnt to see a tree from which
has been freshly ripped a strip Of green
bark by the teeth of a hungry horse. 1t
s, ems like loves labor lost. after planting
the tree. protecting it in its early growth
| and then to have it ripped up the back as
| it we're, in the manner described 1t is bad
enough to see the scars on the irregular and
gnarled trunks of the larger trees, but the
fresh bites always give me a twinge of
pain that useful a thing as a tree in a
city street is thus ill-trea ted.
Il have observed on many blocks that
nearly every unshielded tree and often
an he
marks to greater less degree of horses
teeth. the trunks facing the street being
covered with old scars, which, with the
trees growth. have developed into deep
indentations and wrinkles extending for
several feet. causing the tree to lean or
bulge and greatly disfiguring it,"