Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-22

| us hasten to remark that we think
trees more important than flowers for
| gaining the true home atmosphere.
Houses stuck out In the middle of
great cleared tracts, with no trees, are
something less than they might be If
| there were just one tree in front OF
each house. What Is more beautiful
than home nesting beneath the shade
OF great. elm or fine maple?
! Yet sometimes 1t comes down to a
distinct choice between many trees and
no flowers and a few trees and some
| fioWers We unhesitatingly take our
| stand for the latter
A tree Is so great plant, If it may
be called so, that grove OF them is
| never necessary, especially on the small
| property.
One tree, we believe, is what Kilmer
/ sang about.
One tree, rightly situated, will give a
back yard much, If not all, Of the
beauty which . small forest could
| give it.
In the language of the landscape
architects, tree is center of interest,
something which irresistibly catches the
| eye and satisfies the artistic senses of
| the beholder.
1t is deemed proper by them to put
tree by the house, where its shade
may be enjoyed, and from which one
may look at the remainder of the gar
den, or near the rear of the lot, where
1t focuses the attention, and from under
winch fine view may be secured of
the remainder of the property.
Unless a purchaser finds a property
just so planted, he will be impatient
to get results, and usually will make
the mistake of planting too many trees.
Although a 50-foot width is not much.
IL seems quite large when 8-foot sap
lings are planted. Three such across
the back seem much too few-the first
year. BY the tenth year, however, three
may be just two too many!
Trees too close to a house not only
offer resistance to chimney draft. bit
they present some lightning hazard
also, for it is undeniable that flashes
do strike trees. Then hanging branches
may blow against side walls or against
windows in Winter, causing nervous
occupants to cry out.
Perhaps the best placing of trees is
In the parking in front of the sidewalk.
as found in many city rows. Such
trees give shady walk, and at the
same time protect the house from the
sun. They are enough trees" in the
situation.
Most flowers, and especially roses, re-
quire as much sun as possible. This is
such an axiom that many amateurs
tend to minimize 1t, believing that semi
shade will not harm their plants. The
result is that they get half-results,
whit what they want is the real thing.
Sun is the one necessary factor, both
for heat and light, each playing its part
In rlant growth. Heat warns the soil.
light stirs the plant cells to their proper
activities.
Even trees with the highest foliage
block off the sun, so that flowers are
deprived of the miraculous rays SO
necessary to their best growth. Every
one knows how difficult it is to get real
grass beneath trees. Its impoSsibility
is shown in every public park.
compromise between trees and
flowers is the best solution of this prob
lem on the average property, where
everything must be subordinated to the
general effect.
We hope that these remarks NAV
enhearten some. one to cut down a tree
II necessary. 1t always seems wrong.
somehow, to do so, but often it is a
duty.