Evening star., 1939-07-08
Difficult for
City Trees
OThrive
insufficient Space
And Bad Soil Are
Two Handicaps

Street trees, whether In Washinc
ton or in other cities, are partic:-
pants in contest in which tho
stakes are their own lives.
Everywhere there seems to be an
increasing appreciation of street
trees, but usually little is done to
make 1t possible for street trees to
properly thrive; in fact, so many
things are done that are harmful to
street trees that it sometimes has
the appearance of a game played to
determine how much street trees will
stand before they give up in hope
less despair.
Nature did not intend trees for
city life. Their natural place is in
the forest. Here the earth about
them is loose and porous. A thick
mantle OF decaying leaves holds the
precious moisture and reneys the
rich fertility of the nourishing soil.
The roots range far and wide. ex-
ploring where they choose for good
things to eat.
City street trees are often planted
In poor soil which is blanketed with
hungry lawn that robs these
struggling trees of food and mois-
ture. Grass and litter are peri
odlcally raked up, leaving little or
nothing to renew the fertility OF
the earth. Yet each year the trees
oraW on the available supply Of food
elements and each year this SUD-
ply becomes more and more depleted
Eventually the time usually comes
when the nourishment that remains
Is not sufficient to provide for the
trees needs.
To aggravate this situation the
roots OF street trees are often con-
hned to very limited areas. A street
curb on one side. a walk on the
other, and perhaps an entrance
drive on third side tends to keen
the roots hemmed in. In such SINAI
areas trees find great difficulty IN
securing the nourishment and the
moisture that they must have.
Especially where trees are nes,
the street corners. hurrying people
leaVe the walks to cut across under
the trees. These tramping feet
pack the soil to a hard brick-like
consistency. Air and water cannot
enter properly. The whole soil tex
ture becomes unfavorable to tree
growth.
And what of the gas and water
lines and the underground cables
that share the area in which the
trees are expected to live? When
tneSe are put in or repaired, the
trenches too frequently are so near
the trees that important roots are
disturbed. Sometimes all the roots
that cross the trenches are ruthlesslv
cut on to avoid the expense of tun-
nellng beneath them. Trees that
suddenly lose third or a fourth
OF their roots in this way are in a
desperate plight. for not enough
roots remain to keep the trees
we'll fed.
Smoke and dust further compli-
cate the problem by clogging the
breathing pores of the leaves. Fumes
may prove poisonous. Insects con-
stantly threaten. Storms cause in
jury. Decay hollows out the trunks.
Yes, it's surprising that street trees
thrive at all.
Most of all, the street trees of the
majority of cities need better citv
planning, which will provide them
with more room in which their roots
can find the nourishments and the
moisture that brings vigorous growth
and fine luxuriant foliage. Proper
planning would include keeping the
water and gas mains away from the
tree roots.
Healthy, happy trees are vital ro-
bust things that constantly radiate
CHEEKY comfort and friendliness.
Their companionship and inspiring
beauty are ours if we want it enough
to give these trees just a reasonable
amount of thoughtful consideration
and help from year to year.