The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-29
THEIR CONDITION A
MENACE TO SAFETY
Damage, He Says, Has Been
Caused BY Long Delay and
Improper Pruning-Citi-
zsns Have Been Guilty
Of Wanton De-
struction.


drology OF the United States Department
Of Agriculture, who some months ago
visited Richmond at tic request OF Hon.
L. e. Massie and Mayor Mccarthy. anil
made air examination or the condition
Of the shade trees in the parks and upon
the streets OF tile city. has made an Off
ciat report OF his visit. Which contains
some criticisms and many suggestions.
Mr.. sndwortii docs not hesitate to say
that tic trees ol the city have been
greatly neglected. and where they have
been cared for, the work has been crudely
done by unskiilfn! hands.
He says In part:
"a large pcncentage of these trees are.
however, permanently damaged to a
greater or less extent. and n considerable
number =. ..iem ttrc so seriously injured
rs 10 be iitis-silt!y ;tnd useless. while some
Of these are 80 weak that they are
menace 10 the safety Of passcrs-Dy.
There ire also IL considerable number
OF both street ahd park trees which have
been SO checked In their growth by the
crowdIng and overtopping OF associated
trees as to be worthless There is no
possibility OF such trees outgrowing their
dcformIty
deliberately planting, under the shade OF,
older and taller trees those which re-
uuire plenty OF light. and partly the re-
suit or original close planting. which WAS
not relieved later by. thinning out of
such trees MS were crowdIng and other
wise returdlnE the development of those
capable OF properly tlltng certain spaces.
Prevent Trunk Rot.
The most common type OF injury Is
trunk rot which has followed cut the
ttcms and large limbs 50 ns to greatly
SsaIc.t tile tees. The CAUSES OF this
hdfrage are various, prominent among
which too long delayed and improper
pruning, lack OF pr.servattve treatment
OF wounds, injury from wind and light
ming. Street trees are very conspicuously
damaged lyy the gnawing OF horses hitched
to or standing within reach OF them.
Iiat this latter fragrant abuse OF pub
lic property should go on unr-estraned by
the city authorities is astounding. though
not more so than that self-respecting
citizens should themselves be guilty OF
such wanton destruction. Protection of
the city's trees might well be their pride
ana earnest concern. With few cxcep-
lions, and these within recent years.
1allure To apply wood preservatives 10
wounds and to otherwise prevent the au-
vance of decay by protective treatment
Of exposed wood has, it is believed re-
suited in unnecessarily increasing these
injuries. Many trunks are unsghty en-
account of the Jumps and knot-like pro-
tuberances which are. healed over stubs
OF improperly pruned limbs. Such
benishes destroy the natural taper of
the trunks. In place of being smooth
ana shapcly, they are unnaturally
swollen. and often have the appearance
OF being diseased
Repair Of Injuries.
For trees damaged or made unsightIy
by incorrect pruning and through neglcct-
ed wounds, the remedy needed Is mainly
proper pepruning, especially of all pro-
jectng knobs and stubs of limbs. Very
many trunks may be, If desired. greatly
improved by rcpruning partly or COM
plctely healed stubs of limbs, cut off too
far from the surface of the trunk. FRESH
ly made wounds require effective pro-
lection against decay by the application
of a wood preservativc. Trees which are
so weak In their trunks, or elsewhere, as
to he In danger of falling, or of being
thrown by wind, should be promptly re-
moved A careful inspection OF the c.ty's
trees will reveal number of trees OF
this type. So, also. should trees, little
more than stubs, with only one or a few
struggling limbs, be removed Likewise,
trees suppressed, or so badly damaged
as to be incapable of later being brought
into prescntable form, should be taken
out. The good appearance of Richmond
streets and parks is at present greatly
married by tho scnseless retention of trees
of these types. Empty spaces would be
preferable, until they can be filed, II
need be, by rep,ntng suitable young
trees. In very many instances decrepit
trees recommended to be removed. do not
need to be replaced. for the the reason
n t,.s,,. ,t.r II lzHx,fIt
soon properly fill, the openings made by
removals Tree trunks with large cavi-
ties require special attention, the details
OF which can be deterlninctl only by a
careful examination OF each case. II,
general such cavities and llollows should
be filled, In part or wholly, 50 as to round
out and conceal the imperfection in the
trunk, as we'll as to prevent further dc.
cay.
Fewer Varieties.
The comparatively euuable climate OF
Richmond u middle ground between the
Nortl, and South, furnishes conditions IA
vorable for the growthtof II large number
of native and excite tree species. AS now
constituted. However, the city parks
and streets contain n much small
or number of different species
than Dan be successfully grow,
there. There is opportunity, more
over for greater variety in summer and
winter effect by introducing into the
parks more evergreen trees, both broad
lcafed and coniferous, than are now il,
existence, i6gI2
The following general purposes should
1t is believed. be sought by every city
and town Interested In establishing tree
v grown within It's limits:
QO Shade, for public comfort.
(2) Ornllnent, for bcautifying streets
and public places.
tal Educational value for the instruc-