The Morris County chronicle., 1908-03-31
THE SHADE TREE COMMISSION.
Recommends Several Suitable Trees
for street Planting.

Recommends Several Suitable Trees
for street Planting.
1t is generally recognized that the
beauty Of town depends largely upon
it's trees and the, Shade Tree Commits.
sion of Morristown feels that word
or two regarding the planting of trees
may not be out of place at this season.
While there are many species of
trees that may be planted to advan-
tage in various places within the home
grounds, few only are suitable for
street planting and it is unwise to
choose for this purpose any except
those which are able to thrive under
the trying conditions in which such
trees are obliged to live.
The ideal shade tree for street plant
ing is one of sufficient strength to es
cape damage from severe ice storms
and should be of fairly rapid growth
long life, clean foliage and of a habit
of growth calculated to give pleasing
shade, while not obstructing the side
walk, nor the street itself through
too horizontal system Of boughs. Such
tree must also be able to thrive in a
position where its roots will neceSsar-
lily be more or less cramped by curb
stones, sidewalks and other obstacles.
Two trees stand out prominently as
possessing, to a marked degree, the
qualities necessary. These are the
American Elm and the Sugar Maple,
although, where the streets are very
wide, the Norway Maple may claim
attention, and in places where the
ground is cold and wet, the Red Maple
may be advantageously substituted
for the Sugar Maple.
1t is believed that the elm-leaf bee
tie is disappearing and no longer con-
stitptes a menace.
1t will be noticed in the planting
plan of almost every town that the
Elm and the Maple are the trees that
have been used most successfully.
It is also important that trees OF
the same species should be selected for
both sides Of any given street, as such
planting gives a far more pleasing eff
feet than can be obtained by planting
indiscriminately.
AS to the planting itself, unless the
soil is known to be rich, it is consid-
cred wise to remove it at the spot
chosen and to put into its place at
least a wagon load Of good earth that
the tree may have every encourage
ment to make Q good start in it's new
position and, If such tree, properly
planted, can have the ground inme-
diately about it enriched with some
approved fertilizer, such aswood ashes
each spring, it will be more able to re-
sist disease than tree that receives
less care.
1t may perhaps seem unnecessary to
call attention to the fact that, if the
newly transplanted tree be not imme-
diately protected by a suitable tree
guard, it may be ruined in few min
utes by being gnawed by that arch
enemy of all street trees, the horse.
Nothing can sadden the heart of the
tree lover more than the sight of the
horrible mutilation from this cause
which presents itself to The eye so
commonly on our thoroughfares.
The Shade Tree Commission hopes
| that the people of Morristown will
continue to take pride in their trees
and to be interested in their future
welfare also that they will undertake
the planting OF trees where they seem
| to be needed.
1t may be of interest to know that
competent nursery men here will agree
to furnish and set out young sugar
naples, six inches in circumference,
at total cost not to exceed five dol
lars a tree, including one load of good
soil for each, or for three dollars each
without the soil. Trees of about the
size mentioned are thought to give
the best results.