The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-03-29
PEOPLES FORUM
Editor The Citizen:

Editor The Citizen:
The value of healthy tree means
that the oxygen it gives of and
which one breathes is of a better
and purer quality than that given off
by sickly tree, or one full of de-
cayed and broken limbs.
Walk from an open area into
forest or a grove of trees and soon
one feels buoyant, breathes better
I and fill the lungs. This is because
of the fact that purer and cooler oxy-
/ gen is being inhaled than in the open.
| BY actual test it has been ascer-
| tanned that the atmosphere about a
/ tree in summer time is cooler by
! twenty degrees than the surrounding
atmosphere. The giving off of mois-
ture by the leaves cools the air.
| While on the other hand, tree is
warmer in winter by the same num-
ber of degrees due to the fact that
its branches equalize the temperature
about it.
While every tree possesses some of
these properties there is an appre-
ciable difference dependent upon
whether the tree is in a healthy or
poor condition. Then again a tree
which is healthy is in a better posi-
ton to combat pests and disease than
it's neighbor which is sickly and neg
lected.
To sit or walk under a tree of
which care is taken, is greater de-
light than to suffer the unsightlinesS
and annoyance of caterpillars and
other pests, which make for their
harbor the trunks of diseased or
neglected trees.
A regard for the beauty and health
of trees means much to the citizen
who seeks comfort and recreation
in their cooling shade at the end of
his days work. 1t is equally impor-
tant to the tired mother and child
who seek refuge in it's shade from
the sweltering rooms of her home,
which no doubt is treeless.
In this connection too much stress
cannot be laid upon the Importance
of being advised upon the selection
of trees and the manner of planting
them. The condition of our trees
, to-day is due to the very fact that
our forefathers planted indiscrimin-
ately, and without regard for the
character of tree planted, or its loca'
ton. So that we now have trees
: that are crowded, others unsuited
for the climate, and those that at
tract pests.
To remedy this condition and pre-
serve the trees for the comfort Of
those who will come after us, neces
, states the appointment of shade
, tree commission such as is provided
for by the laws of this state. This
commission would engage or employ
= tree expert who would advise then
IL. e % 1x N1n,n ~
ed and how to care for them They
would also create ordinances pro
hibiting persons to prune, treat OF
plant trees that stood on the street:
or in the parks.
Any person desiring to plant, prunt
or treat street tree would first bt
required to obtain a permit from the
} commission and satisfy them tha
f he understood how to treat a tree
and if he were planting trees, tina
he selected the proper variety. The!
would also prohibit the planting OF
= streets, such trees as the Caroline
Poplar, the Lombardy Poplar, the
, Box Elder, the Occidental Plane Tree
7 or Sycamore, etc. In the event pests
ever attacked the trees in the town
| the commission could fight it to {
f better advantage than the individual
citizen. The appointment of such {
commission in Honesdale would bt
the only solution towards the saliva
7 tion of the beautiful trees we nov
: possess.
To care properly for tree, means
to protect it from horse bites, Wagon
wheel bruises, etc, by placing ;
proper tree guard about it, such al
, will be recommended by the Shade
Tree Commission.
All indications of dead limbs
should be removed, thus insuring thu
tree freedom from pests and diseases
, The cut should be made as close tt
the trunk of the tree as possible, anC
then painted over with a good leaC
paint (to harmonic with the color o
the bark) to prevent decay, and in
cidentally aid the bark to heal over.
One has only to witness the worl
done in towns where shade tree com
missions exist, to see the wonderful
2 transition of a tree from a mass o
t entangled and dead wood, to one o
, rejuvenation, beauty and symmetry
BERNARD NJ. RIFKIN.