Evening star., 1927-05-15
DESTROYED TREES
TO Be REPLACED
Lanham Gives Positive As
surance Planting viii Be
Done in Fall.

Positive assurance that all shade
trees destroyed by the street widen
ing program now under way would
be replaced early in the Fail was
given yesterday by Clifford L. Lam
ham, superintendent of trees and
parkings OF the District.
Already about 20 trees have fallen
victims thus far this year to the
street widening activities on Fiji
teenth street on the west side of Nc
Pherson Square and at least $50 more
have been condemned to die this
week to make way for the widening
of Connecticut avenue, between Du
pont Circle and Florida avenue. Thir-
teenth street between ! street and
Massachusetts, avenue and Twelfth
street between Pennsylvania avenue
and e street.
Silver Naples Go.
A majority of the trees already fell
ed as well as some Of those to be de.
stroyed this week Mr.. Lanham re.
CARDS as excellent specimens. There
are among them, however. a number
of the silver naples. which the super.
intendent Of trees and parkings has
for years been trying to replace be-
cause OF the brittle nature Of their
wood. At one time silver naples ex.
isted in greater numbers than any
other variety, but their planting was
discontinued, and a systematic plan
adopted to plant in their stead hard
wooded and longer lived trees.
Some of these silver naples line
that section of Connecticut avenue
which is to be widened. In their place
will be planted either red or pin oaks.
Norway naples will replace the trees
cut down ON the other streets. 1t will
be 10 or IL years, however, accord
ing to Mr.. Lanham, for these renew
ais to provide any great amount Of
shade.
Acting as Executioner.
Severe criticism has been leveled at
Mr.. Lanham for the destruction of the
shade trees, but he explained that he
is merely the executioner, as the
orders for their cutting are issued by
the District Commissioners. Mr.. Ian.
ham said he is just as sentimental
about Washington's shade trees as
his critics.
Capt. H. C. whitehurst, Assistant
Engineer Commissioner, who has
supervision over the street widening
activities. also regrets the destruc-
ton of the trees, but pointed out that
such action is absolutely necessary to
provide adequate traffic arteries.
A-sI 81
listed for widening, no other widen
ing projects are contemplated by the
Commissioners, except perhaps a
small section of Connecticut avenue
from Dupont Circle south to n street.
When the widening is completed on
Connecticut avenue from Dupont
circle and Florida avenue, it will
leave only one narrow gap, that be-
tween N street and Dupont circle,
but the widening of this section will
not be undertaken this year.
Wide Arteries Needed.
Wide north and south arteries are
badly needed. Capt. Whitehurst said,
to meet Washington's peculiar traffic
situation. For this reason the street
widening program this year as well
as those of the past several years
nave rD6eII COIlIlilcu dlHlOSL cACIuSlfcly
to north and south bound streets.
Only two east and west streets have
been widened--E street between Fifth
and Thirteenth streets to provide an
adequate highway from the business
section to Union Station, and M street
through Georgetown, which was made
necessary by the increased traffic
through that section to the Key
Bridge.
OPPOSES REMOVAL OF TREES.
Resolution TJuanin0usJy Aflopfed nv