Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-19
CULTIVATION URGED
TO SAVE YULE TREE
President of WiIdfIoWer Pres.
ervation Society FavorS
- Judicious Cutting.

= Without recommending omission of
The green Christmas tree from holiday
Festivities this year, promoters of the
campaign here to preserve the holly
and ground pine yesterday pointed
Put that judicious cutting of such
trees and the cultivation of them on
wood lots and in city and town forests
are being urged as means Of provid-
ing more of these messengers of cheer.
The Christmas tree market in
Washington was glutted last year, ac-
cording to p l.. Kicker of this city,
president of the Wildfiower Preserva-
tion Society, who charged that many
trees were burned after Christmas.
Discussing an article on the subject
by him in the current number OF
American Forests and Forest Life, Mr..
Ricker. yesterday said the Washington
market for Christmas trees had been
typical of what happened in many
sections. He urged the public here
still to use substitutes for holly and
ground pine to save these disappear
ing plants, but pointed to the United
States forest service statement that
Christmas trees could be used for
decoration during the holidays.
Market Shows Sentiment.
The wave of sentiment which had
turned against the use Of trees one
year and back in it's favor the next
year was typically presented in the
market OF the National City, Mr..
Kicker said.
"As a result of much agitation
against the unlimited use of Christ
mas trees two years ago." he said,
20 h cpyn ri pf
first time in many years not over
stocked, and by 6 o'clock on Christmas
eve only a few poor grade trees could
be found unsold. Last year. with the
announcement of the forest service as
a precedent. probably the largest sup
ply of trees in history was placed on
the market, and correspondingly
large supply was left unSold ana was
burned"
Already this year there are many
Christmas trees in the market in
Washington and Washingtonians have
heen bringing in trees from nearby
Maryland and Virginia. A campaign
against vandalism" by motorists
from this city is being waged by the
Virginia Federation of Women's Clubs
30 prevent persons taking any kind OF
/, ,coration, including Christmas trees,
i,om private property without the
consent of the owner.
Thinning Is Urged.
In cutting Christmas trees; Mr..
Ticker points out, the United States
forest service has advised that 1t be
me by thinning out groups of
{ DIVIDED trees. Christmas trees in the
1,Gtional forests could be obtained, the
f.,rest service said, by applying to the
supervisor in charge.
Unfortunately" Mr.. Kicker said,
However, very few people cutting
from private places gave this advice
shy consideration. II they had there
would be no complaint. Practically
roughout the country most of the
i tting was done along roadsides, and
ctantity cuttings took everything
/ lble without a thought of leaving
: occasional trek to beautify the
= 'dscape and to nature for service
e timber, pulp or firewood.
1t is almost automatic that unless
J.: d is to be cleared for some definite
purpose owners should insist, and
ic clubs should urge, that in cutting
ristmas trees a sufficient number
O. properly spaced trees be left to
ature at least 6-inch trunks before
cr ting.
Many automobile clubs are show.
i a great interest in preventing the
.truction of the Spring landscape,
it is hoped they will extend their
! crest to preventing such Winter
: dSide vandalism as may be seen
! most places where extensive com
l.--rcial cuttings are made.
Supply Held Endless.
No one wishes to deprive children
adults of the joys of the Christmas
=, and with care in cutting most
ferrous wooded localities will fur
1 an endless supply for such pur-
es. On vacant land farmers could
ize to advantage the less busy
'iods by setting out seeding trees
en- fl ON crowded areas. Or if no
h areas exist small trees may be
chased
he growing movement to plant
If own Christmas tree" was re-
red to by Mr.. Kicker as having
ned most Roadway in Iowa, where
sons planted several evergreens in
yards along the road and deco
ed them at Christmas with feS-
MS and lights.
Discussing the kinds of Christmas
IS in various sections, Mr.. Kicker
= 1 that in the Southeast the scrub
e was the most prevalent. Hem
K and red cedar were said to be
to some extent in the East, but
e not so well adapted for Christ
trees. Spruce and frs supply
Eastern market for the most part,
| Mr.. Kicker. and they come from
section embracing northern New
k to Maine and the adjoining parts
g -anada. In the West, native spruce
tfir constitute most of the Christ
i..-..s trees.
Profit From Planting.
'urserymen are finding profit in
E1ting Christmas trees for the
ie, Mr.. Kicker reported, saying
as high as $500 a year per acre
been realized.
IN Massachusetts" he said. 1.-The
n forest movement is receiving ex-
ent support, and where local land
IT, AVAILABLE for the purpose offers OPP
tunity for obtaining not only a
slant Christmas tree supply, but
netting the town an excellent profit
Ter for improvements or for reduc-
of taxes. Town forests should
few years be self-supporting. In
lt ny places, particularly in Europe.
ire the movement has long been in
% ctice, they have resulted in free
the town from debt or taxes. or