Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-12

W AHilNiIoN, ID. c.. August IL
After many years OF unregcnerate OK.
iravagance, we arc beginning to an
pree!ate the velue Of trees. Formerly
they were not considered much OF an
asset Nhcn new land was opened up
Tor settlement. tho first task OF III.
settler WAS 10 cut down all the trees
in sight 10 make way for corn folds
ana streets and houses; and any man
found planting anything but fruit
trees MAS regarded with plying sus-
picion. Now the planting Of trees has
h"com" not only an economic nrccs-
SHY hut often an individual obscss!on
People Will have trees even at the ex-
p"nse of vegetables and geraniums In
the opening UP of new suburban dis
tricts trees are better selling agencies
than good drainage: and tho syste-
matte planting OF street trees Is being
carried forward on a big scale by all
tn" larger municipalities.
The great and shining example In
street trees is Washington. Here
there ARC nearly 200 miles OF them
comprising altogether 1903, 900 trees
which is on tho average of one 10
cver% third wa shinetonian. This
number il exclusive OF the park trees.
which also run high UP In the thou
sands In summer. when the foliage
is NJ its best, many OF the streets lie
under great arches OF oak and elm
branches which form long, cool areas
81 escap" from the heat and are one
Of the chief factors in earning for
Washington its reputation as one OF
inc most beautiful OF the worlds capt.
tails. one can no more imagine Wash
inHton without trees than New York
without Broadway or Philadelphia
without native infection.
They arc the distinctive feature
which always attracts tho attention
In Europe, which has long felt the
pinch OF tree poverty, the people are
extremely proud OF the shade trees
that line their pavcments. Before the
WAR, those of Paris were considered
ESPECIALLY remarkable, although they
could not compare in number or fol-
iagc 10 those OF Washington; but now
many OF them have gone to line The
French trenches In Berlin the streets
are {, sacred institution, protected and
admired hy every German citizen who
refuses TO believe that they are not
superior 10 any trees in tho world
Eut Washington's only formidable
rival iu the matter OF shade trees is
Eueuos Aircs, which is a close second
IN number and beauty.
tnrrr,s Foreign Visitors.
SO while tho Capito! and the White
House and the state, War and Navy
building often do not Impress the for
clEl VISITOR. Inc trees 90. III ucs'ti !p-
ing the American Capital, former Brit-
ish Ambassador Bryce said: Il know
Of no city in which the tree seems 10
he so much a part Of the city as
Washinrtou. Nothing can be more de-
hghtful than the views up and down
the wider streets and avenues, especi-
ally those that look toward the set
ting sun or catch some glow OF the
evening light"
MI Bryce even proceeds to be en-
thusiastic In detail. Look southwark,
he saws down New Hampshire Ave
nue., or even westward, along modest
little Street, and you have the most
charming sylvan views. and all TINS
by reason Of the forethoueht ana
taste OF those who have administered
the government Of the city and VINO
have planted various species of trees,
so that YOU have different kinds OF
sylvan views. When YOU want me,
bold effect what could be more grand
than sixteenth Street, with It's incline
rising stccpiv TO the north. and the
hills OF Virginia as the backgrounds
There are few finer streets In any
city"
frees were one of the principal fea-
lures in the original landscape pan
of Washington. Individuals planted
many and Thomas Jefferson was an
enthusiast on the subject, personally
supervising the planting OF several IN
various public places. y row of ems
planted by Jefferson is still standing.
\ little later the War OF lSl2 d's-
turhcd the trce-planting business ana
not much attention was paid TO II again
until 1872, when Washington was un-
der the regime of Governor ALEXANDER
H. Shcphcrd AT this time, several bad
iy.necdcd improvements had to be made
in the grading and curb lines OF the
streets. 50 that the great majority or
old historical trees were sacrificed, and
il became necessary to plant new ones.
\ parking commission was establish
cd ana new species Of shade trees wcro
selected rs substitutes for the old ones,
but these. although beautiful, were not
hardy and have since also been rcplaC-
ed by others
Few Old Trees Are Left.
Hence the number of ancient and
historical trees left standing in Wash
ingtOn to-day IL comparatively small
There is Il large elm at the south side
Of the Capitol which was there when
that part OF the grounds was 4 fire
engine house, where many noted states
men used to foregathcr and exchange
political gossip. Then there are many
very old trees in Rock Creek Park
which sheltered the tribe OF Algonuuins
when they made their annual pilgrim
ages 10 gather flint for arrow heads
Flint was TO be found here in great
quantities. and even to-day ramblers
through this section OF the park often
come upon an Indian arrow head.
But the most interesting OF all tho
old trees in the capital is tho huge old
elm which STANDS at tho corner Of
Int ~ ~ Ivan 10