The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-03-25
kRB0R AND HIGHWAY DAY.
Free Trees for Roadside Planting to
Aid in Taking it of Practical
Value to the State.

Arbor and Highway Day by procla-
nation of the Governor Friday, April
9th, has this year special significance,
because it is the first anniversary of
the passage of the Roadside Tree Law
by the Legislature of 1914. This law
places all trees now growing beside the
roadways or along the streets of in
cOrporated towns under the supervision
of the State. In addition to the care
and protection of existing trees. the law
provides for the planting of new ones.
The State has spent approximately
SIS, 900, 100000 in constructing imropved
roads which compare favorably with
any in the country. The next step in
their Improvement is to beautify them
and make them more attractive by the
planting of shade trees. What is more
attractive than a well-shaded street or
roadway, particularly if the trees are
uniform in size and kind, giving a dis
tinctive character that cannot be OBJ
tanned except by systematic effort and
the execution of carefully thought out
and well executed plans? The State
Board of Forestry, which is charged
with the administration of the Road
side Tree Law, is prepared to cooper
ate with towns, associations and indi-
viduals in the work of planting trees
along the streets and highways.
Suitable trees can be purchased and
planted along Maryland's highways at a
cost of 81 to 81 each. Trees that grow
to large size should be spaced not less
thon so feet apart, while those that do
not reach as great size should be spaced
from 80 to 40 feet apart. In the first
case it would take about 200 trees to
the mile. and in the second 300 to $50 to
the mile Is there any other invest
ment that would bring a better return
in public benefit or would there be a
more appropriate way of celebrating
Arbor Day? So many people would be
directly benefited by the planting of the
trees that small contribution from a
large number would easily pay the cost
of the work. and give each a financial
interest IN an investment for the well
fare of the community.
In order to assist in this movement
and furnish demonstrations of we'll
shaded highways, the State Board of
Forestry will furnish free either Locust
or Tulip Poplar trees for mile of plant
ing in each County of the State, also
supplying competent man to super
v!se the work under the following con-
ditions; The mile to be planted must be
along an improved road outside of the
corporate limits of any town, and the
abuttlng property owners must all have
given their approval of the planting;
the trees will be planted within the
right ofway of the road; where Tulip
Poplar is used they shall be not less
than so feet apart, where Locust is
used not less than 80 feet. The applica-
tons will be considered in the order in
which they are received, but the State
Board of Forestry reserves the right to
accept the proposition that offers the
best opportunity for demonstration in
each County.
This offer is open to County Commits
sioners. associations or individuals that
may be interested. With Arbor Day
and the planting time at hand, it is i'm
portant that quick action be taken.