Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-07
$4OO,0]O TREE PLAN
FOR CAPITAL URGED
Lanham Says 10000 Unde-
sirabIeS Mar Streets, in Ad-
voCating Program.

| A systematic replacement pro
gram designed to remove from the
streets approximately 10000 half
dead, sick and dying trees" has been
| recommended to the District Commits
sioners by Clifford Lanham, superin.
tendent of trees and parking of the
District. 1t is estimated that it would
cost $400 900 to remove and replace
these trees.
Increased appropriations are sought
by Mr. Lanham for the 1928-29 fiscal
year in order to initiate the proposed
Unemployment program. The trees
and parking department was given an
appropriation of $4,000 for the COM
ing fiscal year, and Mr.. Lanham has
asked for $175, 900 for the 192S-29 fis-
cal year, a portion OF. which would be
used to replace the old trees.
Reason for Condition.
"When the systematic planting of
trees was undertaken in 1872" Mr..
Lanham said, sit was believed that
trees of rapid growth should be plant
ed in order that shade might be OBJ
tanned in a few years. Consequently
softwooded trees, such as the Caro-
lima poplar, lombard poplar, silver
maple and Negundo, were planted, to
the exclusion of other varieties, but
rapidity of growth generally implies
short life. One of the worst habits
of these trees was the throwing out
of surface roots which lifted curhs and
brick sidewalks. In repairing sucn
conditions, it was necessary to cut out
many roots.
"Since nature provides trees with a
certain amount of root growth to fur
nish them food, the destruction of
these roots was soon reflected in the
general condition and appearance of
the trees. AS a result there are and
will continue to be these half dead,
sick and dying trees throughout the
city.
IL hope to remove all of these I'M
desirable species, of which there are
more than 10000 now standing along
the streets. To remove and replace
them would cost 100000. 1t is real
lied that this work could not be &C.
complished in one fiscal year; yet it is
hoped that a substantial increase in
our appropriation will enable us to
incorporate this program among our
duties so that this work may be per
formed Systematically until all of
these old, undesirable trees have been
removed, thereby eliminating an
actual menace to life and property.
Auto Is Blamed.
Before the advent of the automo-
bile conditions were much more favor.
able for street trees. Rains carried
horse manure into the ground d fer.
fiIi7nd coil. h~io1y Ci6 do IlyC a
pervious to water; gas mains leaked
infrequently because of the absence of
heavy trucks to disjoint them by vi
bration. Today oil from automobiles
is everywhere. Another evil has been
found in the ice cream sale present in
all cutters adjacent to stores. The old
brick sidewalks have been replaced by
those Of cement impervious to water
conduits, water mains, sewerpipes and
service pipes to houses can only be
placed by destroying roots.
! Trees in parks are not subjected
| to these constant mutilations. No com.
! parison therefore can be drawn be
| tween these trees and those growing
under the adverse conditions exist
| ing on the streets. Indeed street
trees might be compared to house
| plants that have a few of their roots
| chopped off every day or so and whose
soil is occasionally sprinkled with oil
| and salt water. Large appropriations
are the old means by which these con
ditionS may he remedied.
Lack of Nursery.
For many years my department
has been handicapped by not having
a nursery Of its own, being compelled
to use ground purchased for other
purposes and then after the expendi.
ture Of thousands Of dollars being
! forced to move to another site under
the same conditions. Recently we
| wera notified 10 Nacate our Shnns ,,,it b.