Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-01-13
OUR !
n AT Nv F.
TREES
&c. By.
THOMAS H. MACBRIDE, Pm. De-
Professor Of Botany, Iotpo State
1 University.
Trees For Ornamental Pur
poses.

X.-lfeeS or OrnonaeuIoA Va
poses.
~HUs far we have discussed
trees chiefly in their broader
economic aspects. We have
thought of them as aggregated
In forests either indigenous or artificial
and as affecting the larger problems OF
human living and human happiness.
Let us now consider the more simple
relations which trees in smaller num-
hers bear to our enjoyment or comfort.
Although as people we destroy FOR
ests in q fashion for which history Of
fers no precedent, we are nevertheless
almost without exception tree planters.
In our northern states at least a tree
less ward or homestead is an exception
so unusual as to be matter of gen.
eral comment. So strong is the tend
ency to plant trees about the house
that the traveller may often find alum
dant attempts in this direction far out
on the plains, where on account OF con-
timed drvness tree cannot possibly
grow. The pioneer in such a region VIII
sometimes haul water for miles to pour
around some transplanted cottonwood,
watch 1t grow green for season. only
at length to see it perish in day when
the hot wind sweeps up across the des-
ert. Our zeal is not according to knowl
edge, or, to put it the other way, our
knowledge by no means equals our
zeal.
To be reasonably successful tree
planters there are several matters TO
which we must give heed. We must
consider first Of all the locality and its
climatic conditions; second. the habit
and history Of the various species OF
trees from which selection must in any
case be made, and, third. we must at
tend to the special purpose we have In
view in making the particular panta'
tons. This is all apart from the mere
matter Of setting the tree in the ground
pruning It, mulching it, ETC.. concern
ing which we may have something &c
say in the next chapter. Let us now
study in the order named these several
prerequisites to success. In the hrs'
place, 1t is evident that in tree planting
much depends on having due regard tc
climatic and other local conditions. we
must select species adapted to these
conditions or our labor Is in vain. 1T
making such selection the flora of the
locality or of the region round about IL
tie absolute criterion. People In Iowa
for instance, need not put themselves
to the trouble, as they have often done
to plant tulip trees in long rows abou
their holdings. Tulip trees were never
nm element Of the Iowa forest or Of
any part of it. Neither do people Of
Ohio, though favored with the tuliI
trees. wisely attempt the several mag
nolias or the bald cypress, though these
may find place in Kentucky or farther
south. We must have respect to TIT
natural distribution Of these things o.
, suffer the consequences. BeReficen
, nature has worked all this out for us
and, while for variety's sake we ma.
introduce some novelties in her orgi
nal scheme. we shall find ourselves ev
erywhere, in the main, largely restrict
ed to the results in her husbandry. A
we 20 west in this latitude the humble
Of arboreous species rapidly diminishes
as we have already stated, although b.
no means so rapidly as some have sup
posed. There are, for example, at leas
twenty-five species Of trees and shrub
in the valley Of the Missouri rive
where it begins to form the boundar,
of the state Of Iowa. Farther west tn
number is Of course smaller. The high
or grounds are too dry to support tree
at all. The few forms listed are linn
tied to the water courses, diminished
dwarfed in size, until at last we begil
to find the coniferous outliers of tn
Rocky mountain forests.
i Over all this region, then, in genera
!, trees native to the region may be sue
cessfully planted. But the second COZ
sideration mentioned, above all, nov
calls for remark. We must not onl
have regard to original distribution, bu
we must also study the habit. the hal
!, itat. of our different sorts Of trees. Thi
means simply more exact eXamina
ton Of the particular case. Our nativ
trees affect different situations, differ
many of them will grow almost any
where If sufficient moisture is at hant
, yet after all each does best in natura
soil and surroundings. Thus willow
, grow by the water courses only. On
common species Is found generally o
the driest hillsides. The black walnu
rises to splendid perfection in rich a
luvial soil; the beech and pine wi
flourish on q soil of sand and gravel
the white oak affects the loess cappe
ridge; the Eastwood and the hard ma
pie, in the west at least. love the coo
limestone ridge. the rocky bank; kne
deep in the swamp stands the tamarac
Of the north. the cypress Of the south
the bur oak lives in the sand, on sunni
slopes, on dry. thin soils on the prairie
Drawing the prairie fires, even invadin
the desert in stunted, dwarfish growt
to form the farthest western skirmis
line of the Atlantic forest. These ar
only illustrations Of how trees low
special habitats. Nevertheless with
their natural limits almost all tree
flourish we'll in good. rich soil-not al
The expert forester knows his tree an
knows exactly where it may be placed
to best advantage. In general, as rain
fall is less we need better soil and bet
ter cultivation.
In the third place, in selecting trees
to plant the planter must have respect
to his own ultimate purpose. If prai
RE farmer desires to secure quick re
suits, early protection, he will plan,
cottonwoods, white naples, box elders
almost surely these because Of their
hardness, ease of cultivation and ra-
pidity Of growth. Among them he will
plant the larch, the Austrian pine, va
rious evergreens, and II sufficiently far