The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-17
TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL
INFORM ALTON
BUREAU
FREDERIC ]. HASKIN. Director.
Washington. D. c.
MEMORIAL TREES
Washington. D. c.

ScI tOSSll0I lhG SAtAZCAS "a tLO Win
munity and plant young oak, or dig
up a full grown specimen from an
inconspicuous place and set it down
in the city square or the front yard
of the town hall. If you are happy
because the hero of the family is home
from the front, or because the open
sugar bowl has returned, the appro-
pirate way to signify joy and remem-
Der the day is to plant Seeding APP
pie tree in the back yard or a young
fir on the lawn.
The American Forestry association.
which stands sponsor for the idea OF
trees as memorials. has decided to
launch Il! project at Christmas with
the community Christmas trees. Com
munity trees at Christmas time have
in the past few yea become ma
tional institution. Heretofore. these
trees have, with a Few exceptions,
been cut from the forest for a weeks
display in a city park or square, and
then have been cast aside or used as
firewood, and supplanted the next year
by new tree.
Now, the American Forestry associ-
;.tion is anxious that the trees chosen
shall be dug up. roots and all, instead
suitable for the Christmas celebration
and where, 1.-THE same time, the tree
may remain permanently. 1t will then
be at hand for, the next years cele-
bration.
In another. broader way the
memorial tree / s to be instituted
There will be status of bronze and
stone, of course-hundreds of them
But the day of the statue is passing,
and in its place is coming. the
memorial that serves as well as beau
titles. Already it has been suggested
that libraries and halls replace carven
figures. Whatever tribute is erected,
the proper setting of trees is urged by
the Forestry association.
The cold finality of stone is sug-
gestive of achievements of the past.
Some of the men who will be honored
by their home communities or by the
nation are living. and it is felt by
many that their memory and the
memory of those who gave their lives
for the liberty of others can best be
revered by growing trees. symbolic of
their victory. which is for the future
AS Governor Capper of Kansas puts
it, more than ordinary mortals these
men are still with us, and it is ap-
propriate to indicate this by dedicating
trees to their memory. For trees will
radiate more fully the spirit of the
new life of the world they fought for,
indicate to a greater degree the pro-
lection their death has brought us,
and point toward fuller growth of
the ideals for which they made their
supreme sacrifice
In some cities trees are to be the
only war memorials. Avenues and
boulevards will be named in honor of
national or local heroes, and along the
sides will be rows of Victory Films or
Oaks Parks, too, will be renamed for
present-day patriots. and other parks
will be laid out and planted with trees
bearing the names of those the town
wishes to honor.
Louisiana is planning to plant 44o
miles of trees as tribute to its
fighters These will be placed at forty
foot intervals along the jefferson
highway, which extends from north
to south thruout the state, connecting
with the great main highway which
runs north to the Canadian line. One
hundred, sixteen thousand trees will
Re used. mostly Victory oaks, altho
in parts of the state other varieties
more suitable to prevailing conditions
will be planted.
The vital part played by trees dun
ing the war makes them especially
appropriate as war memorials. Air
craft, barracks and ships drew heavily
on our lumber supply, as well IS those
of other nations at war. TIE wrecked
forests of France often held back the
foe when munitions alone would have
| failed. Our forest are depleted, but
the forests of France have borne the
real brunt of the burden in helping
| to supply the enormous quantities of
| wood neeCed, and at tn. same time
serving as a battle ground. At least
| twenty years will be required 20 re-
! store the French forests to anything
| like their pre-war condition. Mean
while, the loss in France will be keen
| ly felt.
This wholesale destruction of forests
, both in this country and abroad en-
phasizes the need for planting threes
| in large numbers. Mr.. Frank Rane,
| State Forester of Massachusetts,, Urges
| that memorial forests be planted in
honor of our soldier dead and that
some of the returning soldiers be en-
| ployed at the work.
Memorial trees planted in avenues
| or singly are not, of course, planted
with view to increasing the lumber
supply. They do, however. serve var
| ious purposes, beyond their primary
function of tribute. A well planned
| tree setting adds to tie attractiveness
| OF an already picturesque town and
i Washington would be famous fer its
! broad, shaded street even tho it were
| not the national capital.
Mr. Gilbert Pearson. executive head
! of the National association of Audi
| bon societies, sees IN the planting OF
l trees further protection to the bird
life of he country. Because they eat
/ insects and pests which try to destroy
! the trees, birds are the natural guar
| dams of the forests.
planting of trees says Mr.. Pear
\ son, may mean more to bird life than
can be estimated. for it will doubtless
surprise a great many people to know
| that trees are aIife and death matter
with the birds. Many birds will work
thru every daylight houP to save
trees. I have known people who hunt
| woodpeckers, the birds that spend
| most of their time saving trees from
the pests under the bark"
| Many trees will be planted in the
| coming months, both formally and
without show of ceremony. Arbol
Day will not be awaited as the one
day in the year when the city dweilei
| can with propr:ety plant a tree. APP