Evening star., 1922-11-17
TREES THREATENED
BY[ACK OF FUNDS
Relapse Of Forty Years in Up.
keep Feared by Maj. F. S.
BeSSon.

washington's system Of shade, trees
one of the adornments OF the Ma
tional Capital. will drop back to
where it was forty years ago unless
Congress during the next decade al
lows more money for upkeep, &C
cording to Maj. F. 8. Besson. assistant
Engineer Commissioner.
Maj. Besson has prepared a chart
printed herewith. revealing In
striking manner just what will hap
pen to the tree system II the current
appropriation Of $4,000 q year Is not
increased.
The chart shows that there are now
los, 900 trees along the streets and
avenues Of the city. serving the dual
purpose of shading the pedestrian and
beautifying the nations capital.
If additional funds are not obtained
from Congress during the next ten
years there will be only $3.50 trees
left in 1882, just about the number
that existed in 1882.
Work Needs Funds.
This means that with the amount
now appropriated the division OF trees
and parkings Is not even able to re-
place the number Of trees removed.
much less plant new ones as the city
develops.
The startling prediction appears
on the chart that during the current
fiscal year there will be loss OF
1000 trees from various causes. AS
time goes on the annual number OF
replacements will increase to $500,
it is revealed.
r. 900 trees should be planted each
year, Of which number 1.500 would be
at new locations and the balance to
fill gaps in the existing system.
To carry out such program. the
chart shows. the annual appropriation
for trees and parkings should be In
creased from $4,000 to $4,000.
If that plan is made possible by
the granting of the needed funds
wa ashington in 1882 would have 120.-
600 trees. On the other hand. II the
present inadequate appropriation
continues the tree system will have
dropped back to 55.SSS at the emo OF
the next decade.
Another striking fact revealed by
the drawing is that during the past
five years the city has gained only
l,O1O new trees.
10000 Trees I'm 1877.
Beginning with 1877. as the chart
shows, the National Capital had 10000
shade trees The system grew as follows
1882, $1,000 trees: 1887. $4,000 1892. 72,-
900: 1897, $4,000; 1902. $4,000; 1907
% 900; 1919, $4,000; 1917, 100000;
1922. 100000.
Lifelong residents Of Washington
become so accustomed to the attrac-
ton the statel, shade trees have
added to theif city that they may not
at all times appreciate what the loss
of these natural ornaments would
mean.
But to the thousands Of Americans
who come here every year the trees
which they naturally look in the cap
ital of the nation.
To some it might seem that the
work of Supt. clifford Lanham ends
when he digs a hole and plants the
tree. But shade trees are living
things, and when they are taken from
the fertile soil OF the nursery and
stationed like sentinels in a small
square of earth surrounded by con-
crete pavements they have to battle
for life. Not only are they blown
down in storms, but the roots have to
wind their way around gas mains and
other distractions under the city
streets With the surface paved, ex-
cept for a few feet around the trunk
the city shade tree does not enjoy
the natural nourishment that is avail
able in the forest.