The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1916-01-22
Providence Man
Condemns Salt Lakes
Shade Trees

was renowned not only for the loca.
ton between sapphire lake and snow
capped mountains, but also for the
beauty of its streets bordered with
noble trees, and made musical by
rivulets of crystal water. Tourists
from the ends of the earth proclaim
ed her glories. Poets apostrophized
her in glowing lays, and we were
made aware of her balmy atmosphere
Eer gorgeous sunsets and her marvel
uos skies. But mostly the visitors
were charmed with the long vistas of
shade trees which stretched in end
less colonnades towards lake and
mountain. The poets eye, Gin a fine
frenzy rolling" saw unimagined
splendors in the fastigiate Lambar
dys, the wide-spreading Balm of
Gilead and Canadian Poplars, while
his senses were intoxicated with the
perfume of poisoning black and
honey locusts. The city finally was
likened to that mystical Persian
metropolis where orchards stretch
their blooming span
Round the walls Of Hamadan."
All this was highly gratifying and
strengthened the delusion of Salt
Lakes citizens that no mistake had
been made in the selection of their
shade trees whose beauty and desira-
bility were so apparently beyond
compare.
EuIosies Change.
| But in recent years the eulogies be,
slowed upon the city have taken an
other form, and in place of unrestrict'
ed panegyric, there is now strong
note Of disapproval. The situation
Of Salt Lake is splendid as before
her sunsets, mountains and climate
are marvellous still, but her LONG
lines Of arborescent shade are con
demned as crude, misshapen and un
slightly. 1t has been discovered thai
her longbepraised shade trees are
aggregations of worthless poplars
willows and locusts, many of then
dying, many deformed, and nearly al
ungraceful.
This discovery was made some
time ago and has resulted in much
unpublished criticism from travellers
landscape gardeners and lovers o.
the beautiful generally, but strange
to say, the people Of Salt Lake them
selves are not awake to the situation
Along the new lines OF bungalows
building in every direction the newt
able Poplar family is planted still
Black locusts and box elders fine
a place in fashionable thoroughfares
and it Is rare indeed that really fine
tree of any other genus Is to be seen
The public taste demands poplar'
and there is no discrimination as t
varieties. The best sorts-if there
are any best in this pernicious fam
ily--are always rejected and only the
unworthiest types. the Carolinas, Ca
nadians, Lombardys, Balm of Gilead
etc, are chosen. They exist in ev
cry part OF the city, in every stree
near almost every home. Mutilated
dead or dying, hundreds Of them may
be seen defacing, instead OF adornint
the public thoroughfares. 1t is yer,
strange that these conditions should
exist in a city SO progressive in man,
other ways and shown the necessity
for some active, up to date work OF
the part of the commissioners.
Scientific Management Needed
Salt Lake has been q model To-
many younger cities and some oide'
ones have prohted by her example
Perhaps no other city in modern
times has been SO embossed in tre'
foliage and her only mistake ha
been in not regulating the sorts q
be planted. The varieties alread!
mentioned are unfit for city purpos
es. On account of their habits
growth. shortness of life. or disagree
able characteristics. Scientific man
cement in the selection. planting
md care of their shade trees Is nov
practiced by many cities which ow
their original inspiration TO Salt Lax