The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-08

else we should probably have wasted it
| as Shamelessly as other states nao
done. Here the problem has always
| been to raise trees and forestry IN It's
| aesthetic sense, tree-planting on
J lawns, in parks and streets is a subject
| of Importance and one to which clup
women may well turn their attention
| In pioneer days the soft wood, quick
| growing trees had been planted almost
| exclusively in Kansas. We were glad,
then, to have any sort of shade trees
and these served to tame the soil OF
the prairie. But the result has been
that white elms, cottonwoods and SOFT
NAPLES predominant on our landscapes
and the eye seeks vainly the Deep
dark restful green of the slower grow
ing hard wood trees. In our bright,
sunny climate we need deeper, darker
green's. Our trees are not green
enough to satisfy anyone who has seen
the spruce and beech forests of the
north and east. In our woods one
must walk carefully in order not to
step out on either side, and dense
shade is almost unknown. We should
try to introduce the deeper note OF
green and to replace our soft wood
trees as far as possible with the slower
growing naples, cakes and pines. IN
this work we build largely for the fu-
ture, and our children and children
children will enjoy the fruit of our eff
forts
One of the best of the hard wood
trees is the Norway maple, which has
leaves of a darker green than the ordl-
nary sugar maple and is unsurpassed
for lawns or parks. 1t is a permanent
tree and will survive in this climate
under reasonably favorable conditions.
1t should be planted on the northeast
side of already esta blished trees or
shrubs. The many varieties of native
oaks are available and desirable, the
burr oak of our bottom lands being an
especially good variety for the lawn.
There is no better tree to line drive
ways and streets than the pin oak,
which does well in Kansas, although it
is not indigenous. Shade is not the
only consideration in tree-planting.
especially at this stage in Kansas
where shade is no longer the problem
it has been. We may now consider
permanence, beauty and color effects.
With this latter object in view plant
the scarlet oak in parks and lawns to
brighten up the fall landscape.
The Russian Olive.
The Russian or mock olive whose
light green leaves lined with silver
gray look not unlike the olive from
which it gets its more familiar name,
is a handsome tree especially if plant
ed against a background of darker
trees. It is a quick growing tree and
highly ornamental. Norway naples
GA ks and other formal trees should be
planted singly. When masses, back
desired there is nothing better than
evergree ems. The common red cedar, is,
however. an abominable tree for ordi-
nary purposes 1t turns brown in win
ter, is the especial prey of spiders, and
catches and holds the dust, frightfully.
1t should be excluded from lawns, al
though it may be planted successfully
and effectively on stony bluffs over
hanging streams where it does we'll
and gives a picturesque and pleasing
effect. The silver pines, Colorado sill
yer spruce, and Austrian spruce are of
a formal habit and most desirable
when planted singly, but for large
clumps or masses nothing is more
beautiful than the white pine It
must be planted and cultivated with
great care in this climate, however, as
it is sensitive to hot winds. but if
proper precautions are taken it will
grow in Kansas, and Is most salts
factory tree for certain purposes
With a mass of dark pines for a
background the mock-olive Iightens up
the lawn with it's shining foliage and it
is we'll to plant in front of it some
thing for winter color. The golden
in Willow park are especially
effective and the amateur tree-planter
the scarIet-stemmed dogwood to
brighten the winter landscape.
Forestry clubs may be very useful
in community to super1ntend the Sc
lection, planting and pruning of trees
In streets and parks, to encourage the |
of more beautiful, permanent |
trees and to cultivate a taste for ar |
tistic landscape effects. Women have |
both the time and taste for this sort |
of work ordinarily neglected by the |
to take an interest in it. The average |
husband will not join forestry club |
DR. make a study of tree planting, but |
he will at least encourage his wife in |
her efforts in these directions and fur
nish the money to carry on the work. |