The Monmouth inquirer., 1924-04-24
BEST WAY TO PLANT
TREES ON ROADSIDE

Architect)
Roadside planting should be a part
Of the general character Of the land
scape, so that the roads themselves do
not appear as definite line apart from
the rest of the landscape, but means
to an end that Is in sympathy with its
surroundings.
The highways are the points from
which the traveller sees and enjoys the
surrounding country. 1t Is, therefore,
of Importance that the roadside plant
ing does not shut out adjacent lands.
Out on the plains, the open country
and the freedom of it is a real charm
and inspiration.
Even roadsldes lined with rows Of
trees In the avenue fashion would be
a mistake. This not only would change
the broad expanse of prairie country
but would tend to checkerboard the
prairie landscape. The same idea may
hold good in mountainous countries
where the valley is the object OF
beauty.
Scattered trees planted promiscu-
ously along the highway, as one sees
them In the forest, are more in keep
ing with our landscape and with the
American mind than stately avenues Of
monarchies. 1t Is rather lanes that we
want, or pixies, as they are called In
the South, where trees seem to enjoy
the roadside and each others COM
pany. There is nothing stiff or set
about it. A lane or pike is tolerant
even to the shy but sweet violet that
may be permitted to scatter Its per
fume along the highway.
have seen pixies in Kentucky that
come as near to what I consider a
beautiful American highway as any
thing know of. They are serviceable,
beautiful and cool on hot summer days.
Native plants of all sorts find happy
home along these roadsides and give
their beauty and their wonderful mes
sage to the passerby, and in them nest
our birds that thrill us with their
songs
We want this expression of freedom
along the open road. We want shad-
ows and we want sunlight. We want
the comfort of shady lanes, and we
want the beautiful outlooks over the
surrounding country.
1 have passed over prairie roads
with nothing but wavy plains in green
and brown before me, and way off In
the horizon the purple riches on the
crest of q prairie wave. Those are In
spring things, and they stimulate a
love for our native land.
All roadside planting should be de-
termined and based on the country and
the native vegetation through which
the road winds It's way. In this way
the roadside planting will become a
part of the general landscape, and en-
nance the beauty of its surroundings
as far as this is possible for highway
! to do. For instance, swamp or lowland
landscapes are of widely different
character than prairie or billy country,
and the vegetation fitting for these
different types of landscapes are
equally different.
| Every plant has its proper place In
the out-of-doors. To find this place Is
worth while, because here it reveals
It's greatest beauty and gives US joy
In the fullest measure. Trees adapted
to their environs may grow to great
age and nobility, and in this way high
way planting will become most Inn
portant task in the making Of our
| rural landscapes.
Roadside planting, the development
OF state reservations and rural parks
are equal in Importance to city plan
ming, and are far greater in scope and
vision than the latter A period of
great cultural advancement Is always
measured by the vision and the out
look for the future. Roadside planting
belongs to such period.