The Washington herald., 1909-07-11

up-keep OF the trees now planted. To
meet the growing demands OF the ex-
panding suburbs and the replacing OF old
trees and trees injured by stOrIh or other
wise would require at least 5.o00 young
trees set ont each year. The varieties
usually set out consist largely Of elms,
gingkos. Hndens. Norway naples, sill
yer naples. sugar naples. PIN oaks. pyra-
midial oaks red oaks. and sycamOres.
The successful planting and growth OF
trees in this city is largely due TO the
care with which they are set IN The
ground. The trees set out are all healthy
specimens, not less than FIVE years old
The method used here in setting young
trees is entirely different from that used
IN other cities. The wisdom OF the plan
IS shown In the very large percentage
OF the young trees that thrive after being
placed IN the ground. First a hole 81
feet deep, 3ls feet wide. and 7 feet long
is dug The clay. sand. and gravel us1-
ally found in the excavation IS removed
and carte6 away.
The big excavation is then filed half
full Of rich top soil. The young tree placed
in IL, and the hole then filed up 70 the
level Of the pavement with similar top
soil, packed and watered. The open space
around the tree, 3lk feet wide by : feet
planted with sod leaving the ground
around the tree bare. so as 20 absorb the
rains and moisture 10 nurture the young
tree.
All Varieties Used.
After the tree has grown a few years
in the rich top soil in which it was plant
ed. its roots become strong and branch
out into the heavier soil outside OF the
excavation made for the trees planting
( Nc particular variety Of tree Is used. all
the best varieties or shade trees that are
known 20 thrive well in this climate
being used.
! Probably the trees Of Washington suf-
/ fer less from the destructive invasion OF
tcaterpillars and other insects that destroy
/ the foliage and final destruction OF trees
| than any other city in the country by
reason of the treatment adopted. not for
the destruction Of these pests after they
have infested the trees, but by a system
of prevention that has practically re-
moved the danger from this source. Dur
Ing the past three years the trunks Of the
trees have been carefully gone over. kill
ling or destroying the larvae, which pre-
vents the appearance Of the insects.
Recently. by reason OF the repaving OF
a portion OF New York avenue from
Thirteenth street east il was found nec-
lessary. owing 10 the fact that in tha,
work il was necessary. TO cut of large
lportions OF the roots Of the large elm
itrees occupying the center Of the street
along both sidees OF the street car tracks
Following that work. these large and
handsome trees were literally trimmed
and topped, bringing forth general ad-
verse criticism from the general public
who were not advised as to the necessity
of this work and who saw fit to refer "a
the trimming and topping as ~butchery OF
trees
Ont in Full Foliage.
It is explained that by reason OF the
fact that large portions of the roots o.
these trees were cut away in the change
O. the grade and repaving of the stree;
there were rot sufficient roots left 70 the
trees TO support them. thus endangering
the lives Of passengers on the cars
teams in the streets. and pedestrians. as
the trees were likely. to fall at any time
for want Of support; hence it was abso
lutely necessary 70 cut away much Of the
tops Of the trees and bring them down Il
a height that their rOots could suppor
them Now, since the warm weather ha.
set in. these trees are ont IN fun foliagt
and look well and are fiourishing.
The department is closely following. a.
far as the means at it's disposal viii per
nit. the extension OF the streets into tn.
suburbs, planting young trees where tn
street Improvements are made. and tn
curbing has been set. A large number o
new trees have been set on FOurteentl
street extended, between Park road ant
Piney Branch road, and IN the Chev,
lChase section.
AS the city extends out into the un1m
proved suburbs the planting Of trees fol
lows. With more liberal appropriate
annually TO meet the actual needs o
this work, the city proper. as well as IN
expanding residential suburbs. can b
a cared for and the work of beautifying tn
, city with shade trees carried forward
= feature In the Identification of the Ma
. tional Capital that win contribute iargel
| TO the fame Of the city.