The Monmouth inquirer., 1923-05-31
PLAN AVENUES
OF BEAUTY
Movement to Plant Shade Trees
Along New Jersey Highways
Takes Form.
BACKED BY MANY BODIES
Started Years Ago, But Never
Taken Up With System and
Enthusiasm.--A Request
For Cooperation

Trenton. Beautifying of New Jer-
sey's highways by the planting Of
shade trees, started a few years ago
in scattered districts largely through
efforts of individuals, has been given
considerable stimulus by the indorse-.
ment given the plan by Governor Sill
ger, the new State Highway Commits
sion and women's organizations in
Camden and other counties. Salem
county claims to have originated the
plan a few years ago by planting trees
along some of the main highways Of
the county. The idea was for utility
as we'll as for beauty, the trees being
placed TO take the places of fences
and guard rails along certain sections
of the highways. Burlington county
leads in the actual mileage Of high
ways planted with trees. The move
ment there is an outgrowth of the
world war memorial idea, with me-
mortal highways now radiating from
Mount Holly, the county seat.
Camden county gets the credit for
the most ambitious scheme for tree
planting along the highways, through
the movement originated by women's
clubs for identifying the entire
stretch of so miles of paved highways
from the Delaware River to the sea
On the White Horse pike route.
Shade tree planting was given more
thought and care in past generations
than in the present. according to adj
vocates of this movement, who say
that comparisons Of the streets of
some of the old towns with the newer
suburban developments is all that is
necessary. Some of the most beauti-
fully shaded highways are found in
sections of Salem and Gloucester
counties, where most Of the trees were
planted at least half-century ago.
This was accomplished largely
through community or individual eff
fort.
Ask For Cooperation
The plan now, as favored by the
State Department IF Forestry and the
State Highway Commission, is to have
cooperative effort upon the part OF
communities, counties and the State
in the systematic planting of shade
trees IN sections where none now
raises its leafy head.
Shaded highways are not only more
beautiful, but they last longer, accord
ing to road experts who have discov-
cred that the trees help to preserve
the paving. They break the intense
heat of the sun upon the roads in sum-
mer and in the winter serve as wind
breaks in helping to keep the roads
clear of snow drifts. 1t is also held
that trees, properly planted, improve
the drainage conditions along the
highways.
Some systematic plan for tree plant
ing is now sought. Certain trees
thrive better in some parts of the
State than others. The tendency has
been to plant naples almost exclusive
ly in the lower counties of the State
and tree-lovers are rising up and ask
ing for a greater variety of trees.
Suggestion is made in some quar-
tiers that differnt kinds Of trees be
planted, as far as possible, on differ
ent State highway routes. Thus, in
stead of having numbers, the State
routes might eventually be known as
Maple Route, Elm Route, or Pine, Oak
Spruce Routes, until the list of suit
able trees was exhausted.
The tree-planting idea for highways.
as first fostered by county, was
started in Salem county under the adj
ministration of County Engineer Keas-
by as a practical plan for protecting
traffic and also identifying certain
sections of the gravel roads then con-
structed in that county. Now Salem
county has several miles of new State
highway, built of concrete, and it still
has lots of opportunity for further
tree planting.
Roads To snor. R.r.
rbara ! oro 80 at,,~a,
~ ~ onnntr h,gnws1s bnt thi $500 -
- - - ~ 80. -. -
tha $50 - 49, saaahare 800 nasas+ sS
~A-~ N>ss>sN - 49, SSe-SAAoAS S7oA ~ 40