The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1910-08-04
QUALITIES DESIRED
IN STREET TREES
Shade -Hardy Foliage
Autumn Coloring
What Tree Planting Means to the
City's Beauty and Health.-HOw to
Plant, and What to Plant.


tree. 1t isn't worth while. Because
oaks in the large cities have been
]gradually dying out, and other hard
wood trees have not grown we'll in
some localities, is not evidence they
will not grow. They have suffered
from unnatural conditions and lack
have grown up to now is proof that
they will thrive under favorable CON
ditions. Most of the residents want
trees. but believe 1t is useless to
plant them. 1t is hard to overcome
this prejudice; but property owners.
after they have seen trees growing
two or three seasons, are ready to
believe planting can be done success
fully, and are glad to seek the in
formation. Previous lack of municipal
control has permitted citizens to use
trees for hitehing-posts and horse
feed and mutilate them beyond re-
pairs. In many cases large roots
have been cut off in laying curbing,
sidewalks, and pavements or in eX-
cayating for service pipes Some trees
have been left without proper trim
ming of the top to balance loss of
root and whole avenues of valuable
trees have been ruined this way.
There are twelve reasons for the
improvements: Trees are beautiful in
form and color inspiring a constant
appreciation of nature; trees enhance
the beauty of architecture; trees
create sentiment, love of country.
city State and home; trees have an
educational influence upon citizens of
all ages, especially children; trees
encourage outdoor life; trees purify
the air; trees cool the air in sum
mer and radiate warmth in winter;
trees improve climate, conserve soil
and moisture; trees furnish resting
place and shelter for birds; trees in
crease the value of real estate, trees
counterfeit adverse conditions of city
life.
One we'll planted tree in front of a
residence adds beauty to it, even
though the home may be deliberately
designed; while all the unsightly fea-
lures of a house may be screened
from view by proper planting,
A fact that has not been empha-
sized sufficiently is that the death
rate among children is diminished
where the intense heat of the sum
he 10 nv
Grafton of large quantities of water
from the surface of the leaves
of trees. Street trees help to
keep the dust and bacterial impurities
from being carried into the homes. 1t
may be poor landscape gardening, but
commend the idea which is very
popular in large cities, of planting
shrubbery in front of the windows to
keep out some of the dust. The choice
of the tree to be set out should be
governed by the best variety that is
in the majority along any particular
street; the vain desire to Guido a
neighbor should not enter into the
selection. In Sweden where | have
had IL years of experience, the gem
eral idea is to plant no tree smaller
than two inches in diameter at a
foot above the ground. While it Is
advisable to make that the maximum
size, the advantage of smaller trees
lies In the fact that they take root
quickly, readily adapt themselves to
new conditions, are always sure to
grow, develop rapidly and into better
form, cost less, and can be replaced
quickly and transplanted safely. Cut
ting back smaller trees at the time
of planting does not destroy the flu
ture form The qualities which make
the best street tree are ability to en-
dure the unnatural conditions of city
life, immunity from insects and fun
gus pests, beauty of form and color,
suitability to the architecture and
character of the street, shade-produc-
ing qualities, retention of foliage un-
til late in the fall, and autumn col
oring Following is a list of the best
city street trees:
American Elm (Ilmus Americana)
In localities where soil and atmos-
phere conditions are good this tree
should be planted fifty feet apart in
less favorable localities forty feet
apart should be confined to wide
streets.
Sugar or hard maple (Acer sac
charum)- hard wood tree, not
readily susceptible TO insect and fun
gus diseases. exceedingly good; dense,
dignified top, grows rapidly in good
soil, but does not thrive on heavy
clay. Plant forty feet apart.
Norway Maple CAcer platanoides)
Resembles sugar maple; one of the
best; should be placed forty feet
apart; develops dense, spreading
head and deep root system, and would
do better were it not for the smoky
atmosphere and clay soil.
American and European Lindens
(Tilia Americana and platyphyllos) y
Both stately trees, growing rapidly
and forming round heads of dense TO-
lage The American has the larger
leaves. Should be planted forty feet
apart. The European Is a slow grow
er and unreliable.
Pin-Oak (Quercus palustris) Rap
idly coming into popularity. Suitable
for streets of medium width; should
be planted forty feet apart. Grows
slowly at first
Red Oak (Quercus rubra)-Durable,
beautiful native trees, beset by few
enemies; plant forty feet apart.
Grows faster than any other street
tree. Deserves wide planting.
Poplars-Should be planted thirty
o.