Evening star., 1938-11-13

all their moods and surroundings.
All his dreams and plans had q
background of trees. He planted
trees at the slightest provocation,
Zine and witness" trees, survey"
trees and Landmark" trees.
His greatest monument he builded
to himself In the trees he planted,
not only at Mount Vernon but In
his dream city. The very first plans
of Washington provided for trees on
the streets and in the parks and
circles that were placed every few
blocks. washington, a great man
with clear vision, realized the value
of trees in the architecture Of q
city, for Washington has grown to
be the most beautiful city in the
world and known to be the historic
"City of Trees"
Jefferson Continued Policy.
Thomas Jefferson, another lover
of trees, came to the White House
to continue the task Washington
had begun. Often he planted seeds
and trees he had gathered with his
own hands.
Many other men of the District
have loved trees and realized their
great value to civilization spiritually,
mentally and materially. So now
the hundred square miles of the
Capital City contain 676 parks and
circles, covering about $500 acres
of land planted with beautiful trees
brought from all over the world as
we'll as many native ones.
There are $4,000 naples alone, 500
growing on Sixteenth street, planted
in memory of World War heroes;
5000 lindens spread their shade
over Massachusetts, avenue. Thirty
different varieties of oaks, the
noblest and largest Of trees, are
found in the city limits. The grace
full, urn-like elms, thought by many
to be the most beautiful trees in
Washington, make @ street in Old
Georgetown and New Hampshire
avenue cathedral drives Of Gothic
architecture. They are extremely
majestic and seem to reach the
height Of their perfection south Of
the White House. where q double
row surround the Enpse in the
shadow of the Washington Monu-
ment.
They grow regally around Lafay-
cite Park, where they form a double
row north of the White House. This
park is not only one of the most
beautiful in the Capital City, but
contains the rare trees from the far
corners of the earth. The oldest
and largest elms of the District
grow in handsome old Lincoln Park.
Huge willows of the Potomac.
Among the old willows of Wash
ington none are so old and pictur-
esque as the ones that reflect their
glory in the historic Potomac along
the Potomac Park Speedway. These
huge-trunked willows were propa-
gated from trees brought to WASH
ington from Napoleon's grave at
st. Helena more than a hundred
years ago.
The Speedway also shows three
miles of Japanese cherry trees, visi-
tors come from every land to see the
blossoms of these 1000 trees that
circle the Tidal Basin and border
the drive to Hams Point.
The history of trees in Washington
runs like romance, as thrilling a
story as ever was written. John
Muir says that trees only die by
accident. They live longer than
man and so carry associations
through generations. The trees of
America carry memories of the dis
covery and building of new coun-
try. Tall, stately trees of the Piney
Branch Valley, noted for its bird-life
remnants, shade one of the greatest
Indian quarries ever discovered in
the United States. Ancient trees
shade the remnants of one of the
greatest Indian quarries ever discov-
cred in the United States. Ancient
trees shade the ruins Of old forts
that surround the city and protected
it during Civil War days.
Old Forts Know Their Beauty.
Beautiful Fort drive, which runs
from the western terminus of the
Potomac River to rustic Fort WASH
ington on the lower Potomac, follows
the historic old Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal and touches old fortif1-
cations enhanced by trees LEnfant,
Washington, Daniel Webster and
Lincoln admired. Fort Washington,
with its gnarled trees and vine-cov-
cred ramparts. was designed by
LEnfant and built to protect the
Federal City when the Nation was
young.
On this superb drive stands the
ruins of old Oxon Hill Manor, where
John Hanson, first president Of the
Continental Congress, died. Stu
ated across the river from Alexan-
dria, 1t is in section Of Maryland
filled with Colonial and Reyolu-
tionary memories. The grand old
mansion, where Washington, Lafay-
cite, Jefferson and other great
Americans were entertained, was the
center of hospitality in that area for
more than 200 years.
Today only a few old trees and a
pile Of chimney bricks remain to
mark the place. Nearby old Broad
Greek Church. built in 1723 at the
cost Of 10000 pounds of tobacco,
nestles by the roadside under CEN
tury-old trees.
AS I sat there with pencil and
pad I was charmed with the faint
traces Of road that led to old Broad
Greek, lined with wind-blown trees,
Roads were dangerous and poorly
developed In the early days, and
waterways were the popular mode of
travel. It seemed I could hear the
splash Of the oars as Washington
drifted up the creek and tied up ct
the landing, after crossing the Po-