Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-30

| complaints sent in by the police depart
ment, such as dangerous limbs or trees,
limbs obstructing the free passageway OF
sidewalks roadways, dead trees and
those injured by runaway teams, storms or
| other causes. These complaints are prompt
ly remedied and the debris taken away to
the dumping places. Other men are en-
ployed in overhauling and replacing the
wire safety netting placed about the shade
trees. In eXcavating holes for the planting
of young trees four carloads of earth are
taken from each aperture, which are refill
ed with rich soil
Sturdy Old Oak.
A few days ago the parking commission
removed a sturdy old oak from street
between North Capitol and LIST street north
west. This gigantic oak not less than
100 years of age and was five feet in dia-
meter at the base of it's trunk. The plant
ing Of oak trees in cities is an experiment
which was first generally tried here by the
commission.
One of Washington's most beautiful
shade trees is the Platanus Orentalis, or
oriental plane tree. The first Of these trees
planted in Washington, and which is now
growing in Lincoln Park is the Thaddeus
Stevens memorial tree, generally supposed
to have been planted by the Pennsylvania
statesman. 1t was not actually planted by
him, but, related by Mr.. w. r. Smith OF
the Botanic Garden, when Mr.. Stevens was
| asked to perform the duty, he looked down
then said, laughingly: Here's dollar; get
| a couple of lusty darkies to do it, and this
was done.
The Stevens tree was one Of two which
were planted on the banks of the Tiber in
| the Botanic Garden during the civil war
| The arching of the Tiber necessitated the
removal of the tree, and 1t was transplant
| ed in Lincoln Park, the spot where stood
one of the most extensive hospitals estab-
| Nshed during the war. Its mate still grows
| in the Botanic Garden, spreading Its shade
| over the Office of Mr.. Smith, the superin-
| tendent. The memorial tree thrived well
| in it's new situation and has attained a
| height of about 100 feet. Its lower limbs
| at one time spread over the lawn nearly
| forty feet from the trunk, and the tree
| made a pleasing center for the vegetation
| of the park. Unfortunately, about four or
| five years ago, the mistake was made Of re-
| moving these widespreading branches; con-
| sequently no idea may now be gained of the
real beauty of the tree.
The ancient Romans were great ad-
| mirers of the plane tree, 1t is stated, it
| being planted by them in public places, and
| in some instances its lower limbs were sup
ported by marble columns, making a cool
resort wherein to escape the heat of the
| sun. The tree was brought from the Le-
want by the Romans and was at first Guilt
waited only for the benefit Of the wealthy.
This the case in France. also, when it
| was first brought into that country, a pen
| atty being incurred by any of the peasantry
| who should presume to pass beneath it.
Varieties of the Plane Tree.
There are five varieties of the plane tree,
| Of which four native to North America.
| The best known of these is the common
| plane buttonwood, often called the North
| American plane. When introduced into Eng
| land 1t was named the occidental plane. 1t
| is very improperly called by most Americans
| the sycamore, which very closely resem-
| bles the oriental species, but, the latter has
more deeply lobed leaves which appear
later in the spring and become smooth
| sooner, and the fruit balls of the latter are
larger. The native tree is very liable to
decay and does not attain the symmetry
of form which the oriental species develops.
The latter seems better suited to our eli
mate than the American plane. Its wood is
very hard and close grained and the tree is
entirely free from disease. Both species
like a moist soil and grow with great ra-