Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1904-03-26
STREET FORESTRY.
SERVICES TREES PERFORM FOR
TOWNS LITTLE RECOGNIZED.
How to Care For Them and Improve
the Appearance of Strcets-FOr-
ester Says Trees SHOULD he Under
Municipal Control.

ester Says Trees Should he Under
Municipal Control.
1t is unfortunate that the services of
shade trees on streets are not yet fully
recognized. They are regarded more
In the light of ornaments than rs i'm
portant factors in the health conditions
of the town. To show some of the
services rendered by the trees we have
taken for the substance of tbs article
the information contained in the report
on Street Forestry" by Mr.. Frederick
Shonnard. city forester Of IonkcrS, n.
Y. says the Municipal Journal and
Engineer. Mr.. ShOnnard states the
services AS follows: First, trees afford
needed protection from the sun; sec
ond. they break the force of cold winds;
third, they rest the eyes; fourth, they
impart coolnrss to the air as the tenn
perature of the air is never above 10
degrees +. and the water transpired
through the leaves in the form of vapor
coolS the air ca good sized oak will
tranSpire 125 tons of water during n
season.; fifth, they absorb carbonic acid
gas and give off oxygen. This latter
service would indicate the use of the
most trees in the most crowded quar-
tcrS
Considering the great benefits to be
derived from street trees, it is a pity
IN * tol- of Inv
the city authorities Some cities and
towns have placed them under protcc-
ton of the authorities, and this is the
only method by which Intelligent care
can be secured. An illustration of the
lack of intelligence displayed by so
called expert forcstcrs appears in the
number OF trees showing rotten trunks.
Instead of being cut as close as possible
to the trunk, limbs are Topped off at
distances varying from an inch to a
foot and the wound left uncovered.
The end rots, water collects in the
opening and the rot works down into
the trunk. y close cut and Il little
painting with waterproof material and
the trouble would be prevented. Holes
that have already started can be filled
with cement or coal tar. In regard to
trimming trees. Mr. ShOnnard says
that. while winter pruning is strength
cning, trees may be lightly trimmed as
soon as the growth has stopped and the
leaves have turned.
In IonkerS, as in most other towns
heretofore, each citizen planted what
ever tree suited his convenience or
fancy, with the result that there is
often an entire absence of orderly and
harmonious plan in the planting which
would yield the greatest good to the
greatest number and would enhance
the beauty of the property and the
street. The great improvements in the
Ornamcntation of towns and cities with
fine buildings should be accompanied
with the Identifying of the streets
with well cared for trees. Mr.. Shon-
nard remarks, THE repeated attempts
to improve the appearance of q town
by planting trees along the streets
should be encouraged on every Occa-
sion" Unsatisfactory results from tree
planting can usually be traced to three
causes: Selection of unsuitable species,
the mixing of several species on the
same block, the croWding of trees. The
last is the most important and common.
Spreading avenue trees should be at
least fifty feet apart and those on side
streets not less than thirty.
Mr.. ShOnnard believes that first, the
local government should have control
of the planting and care of trees; sec
ond, that trees should be of the same
size when planted; third, that they
should fork or head at the same height,
which should be at least twelve feet
up; fourth the whole street should be
planted ut the same time in equal con-
ditions of good soil to secure an even
growth, and, fifth, one variety should
be chosen for each street, and the
spacing should be adapted to the habit
of growth and he made uniform. Citi-
zcns should have no more right to
plant poor or improper tree in front
Of their property than to lay inferior
tagging. While town dwcllers love the
trees, they are not we'll informed, as
rule, concerning the relative merits of
the varieties or realize the bearing OF
shape, size, spacing, etc, upon the
question of an artistic selection.
Many factors should govern the Sc
lection of a variety for any street. The
width of the street limits the height OF
the variety. Streets on high ground
and exposed to winds should have trees
with tough branches and silver maple,
poplar, ailanthus and the like should
be avoided From the list of trees
given in Mr.. Shonnard's report showing
the water conditions needed for them
It appears that the oaks can get along
with considerable privation, although
they do not make wood very fast. The
horse chestnut, ailantlus and Japanese
japonica need little water. In north
ern parts of the country the gingkO
tree does not produce the fruit that has
been one of the objections to this kind
of tree for street purposes, and so its
many advantages fit it for northern
grow in sugar loaf fashion and are
finely adapted for street use.
Care must be taken to secure good
soil conditions for trees. Soil rich in
humuS or dccOmpOsed vegetable or an
imal substances is what is needed. The
best of this is naturally spongy, does
not pack readily ana therefore admits
air and water freely and maintains the
moisture in dry seasons. These last