The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1926-06-24
WOULD HIDE SICNB0ARDS
BY PLANTING TREES
Forester Says Signboard Adver-
Using Would Be Made Rela-
lively Useless.

rural highways through the planting
of trees at various points will be
recommended officially to Governor
Richie by F. W. Besley, State Fores-
ter. AS far as is known, this method
never has been considered except by
Individual property owners.
Authority already has been granted
to plant trees along highways; the
State already operates nursery for
trees intended for roadside planting
and all that is lacking is public inter-
est and a relatively small appropria-
tlon to carry out the plan, Mr.. Besley
said Monday.
MANY other methods of eliminat-
ing signboards have been attempted,
such as taxation and direct legal re-
strictions," Mr.. Besley continued.
These, however, have met with var
ious constitutional and other effective
objections. The planting of trees
along highways, on the other hand,
already has been authoized by law
and is highly desirable in itself.
Relatively few trees would be re-
quired, because to be effective in the
case of users of fast-moving vehicles,
they must have uninterrupted vision
of the signs. A few trees, we'll placed,
would serve to break the line of Wis
and oil ho CT
useless.
Signs generally are placed on the
outer curves of roadways. A small
group of trees also would be sufficient
in these places and would add greatly
to the beauty of the roadway. ,
"On curves l would suggest plant
ing trees about rs feet apart and on
straight highways approximately 100
feet. The State could reasonably
plant 100 miles year, or about 25,-
900 trees. Undoubtedly many civic
clubs and towns could be interested in
identifying their approaches and this
would add materially to the mileage
planted.
"The cost of such a program would
be insignificant compared with the
benefits which would accrue. We
could grow trees suitable for the pur-
pose at cost of about 81 each. They
could be set out for about the same
amount. Of course, they would re-
quire some care, but they would not
be an important item and appears to
me just charge against maintenance
of highways.
"The actual location of the trees
would be matter for the State
Roads Commission to determine in
the best interest of traffic. The For
estry Board, however, is in a position
to give expert advice on the kind of
tree best suited to any particular To-
cation and the care to be given them,
besides actually supplying the trees.
"The right of way on the main
highways leading to Baltimore is
siXty-six feet except the Washington
Boulevard where it is sixty feet.
This would give plenty of room for
tree planting and the question of
present poles and wires could be
taken care of easily. Incidentally, the
law already has eliminated advertis-
ing of all kinds from the rights of
way.
"The only case Of the planting of
trees in Baltimore to do away with
obnoxious signs which l can think of
is that of the Lombardy poplars near
the Union Station. They were set out
a few years ago by the Pennsylvania
Railroad for this purpose and they
were effective.
"The nursery at College Park now
produces 5000 trees for roadside
planting annually. This output could
be increased indefinitely and at small
cost"