The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1908-12-23

| Inc general interest DelnS manl-
tested in the preservation of trees and
shrubbery in various parts of the
United States, and especially in New
York State, in recent years by experts
on trees and plants, has led to many
public inquiries by persons interest
ed in the best means of caring for
their shade trees. Many people see
trees gradually destroyed by pests
and insects, without having knowl-
edge of the means to kill them, or Of
stopping their inroads on valuable
timber. Indeed, this important mat
ter has been treated with careless
ness by a large number of people,
either because they believe they are
helpless to prevent the destruction Of
shade trees, or from motives of abso-
lutte Indifference. Others imagine
that droughty conditions over which
human ingenuity has no control are
responsible for the gradual dying out
of certain kinds of trees, in certain
kinds of climates, regardless of the
best of care and all the artificial
means at the disposal of men to keep
them thriving.
In late years, the Bureau of Fores-
try of the United States has been
making exhaustive investigations as
to the care of certain valuable forest
, trees, and more especially domestic
species like fruit trees and those com.
monty grown for parks and yard
shade. Scientists, naturalists, and
entomologists have been busy inves-
tigating and informing the public
how to preserve and beautify their
trees and shrubbery, and some of the
results of their researches are valu-
able in the extreme. The task of
overcoming the pernicious activity Of
destroying insects has been, and
will be. 4 big one.
Many citizens in and around New
York are evincing an interest in the
care of trees, for the most part men
who have valuable trees of their own
and desire to perpetuate their vigor
To men who have made study of
the matter at all, the common enem-
les of trees are we'll known. There
are hundreds of species of destroying
parasites that burrow into and feed
upon the bark and trunk of the tree,
and many others that fatten them
selves on the leaves and shoots. Some
of these insects are winged, some
are wingless, and they carry their de-
structive methods to every kind of
tree that exists. All manner of trees,
from the delicate fruit and flower
bearing specimens to the stalwart
and hardy oak, the stately pine, and
graceful poplar, are the victims of de-
stroying insects.
How to Protect Timber.
In recent exhaustive treatise on
those of our valuable trees most sub
ject to attack, and the specific insects
that attack them. by e. P. Felt, d.
&c., entomologist of the New York
State Museum University of the State
of New York, some valuable informa-
tion is found regarding certain trees,
and the best method of protecting
them. Mr.. Felt gives an interesting
report based upon work extending
over three seasons, pertaining to the
destruction of trees by various in
sects. His collecting was done in the
Adirondacks, in the vicinity of Sar-
anac Inr, and at Karner, N. Y, which
Is approximately between Albany and
Schenectady. He noticed especially
that pines were subject to attack by
wood-borers, or scalytids.
According to this authority on trees
of every kind, the pine is among our
most valuable timber trees, and is
becoming scarce, especially in New
York State. A vast number of these
trees are ruined by insects, and in
the last two or three years he has
noticed that the destruction of pines
Is on the increase. The trunk of the
pine forms congenial home for
many species of insect, some of
which attack large, vigorous trees,
while Others prefer wood in dead or
decaying condition.
The white pine weevil is common
Insect on hard and white pines. and
according to DR.. E. B. Southwick en-
tomologist Of Central Park, its opera
tions may be observed to a greater
or less extent in almost any group of
pines in New York State. Birds are
the natural enemies of these pests,
and assist to a great extent in their
determination. According to men ex-
perienced in fighting the weevil, the
best method OF killing it is to use
some effective spray at frequent in
tervals, where ii is possible. 1t is not
to be presumed that enough enthus-
iasm will be aroused at this time to
cause general crusade to be inaugu-
rated against the pine tree pest, but
the people Of the Empire State. es-
pecially, must soon realize that the
preservation Of their pine timber lies
In the destruction of the weeyil that
is rapidly destroying the trees.
Foes of the Pine.
The pine bark chermes, another
common and ruthless destroyer of the