Evening star., 1943-11-21
More Beautiful Trees for Postwar Era

I
dent Jefferson took a great interest in
carrying out LEnfant's tree-planting
plans and was instrumental In having
Lombardy poplars planted along Penn
sylvania avenue because Of their most
sudden growth" He likewise took de-
light In gathering seed and planting
them on the Mall and along roads.
The first appropriation for the ex-
press purpose of planting trees was
made in 1915. 1t was stipulated that
400 English elms were to be planted
to replace the poplars planted only
few years before. Until the l87Os. small
appropriations were made annually for
tree planting, and thus Washington
gradually attained the reputation as a
world capital famed for its sylvan
beauty.
Ihe first program of systematic tree
planting was inaugurated in 1872, when
the office of superintendent of trees
was established during the admin
1stration Of Gov. Alexander r. Shep-
herd. He appointed John Blundon as
the first superintendent to serve under
an advisory board composed of Messrs.
William R. Smith, John Saul and vii.
liam Saunders
About 1000 trees year were set out
during the first five years of Blundon's
administration. These were, for the most
part, such fast-growing species as Sill
yer maple, box-elder and Carolina pop
lar. The wood of these trees was brit
tie, and the branches and trunks had
the unfortunate habit of breaking and
splitting easily during winds and heavy
SHOWS. In addition, the poplars thrust
out heavy roots near the surface, up-
heaving and cracking curbs. walks and
roadways. Because of their rapid
growth these varieties We're short-lived
and many trees had to be replaced after
few years.
A number of American elms vera
planted about this time These vera
far superior to the softwood trees
planted earlier Hundreds of them ara
living today, in healthy and WE'LL
preserved condition. The finest speci-
mems are along New Hampshire ave-
nue. from Washington Circle to Florida
avenue. These venerable trees front the
nome OF Christian Heurich, Washing
tons most famous centenarian.
The white ash trees along p street IN
the vicinity of Dupont Circle are about
the same age. Comparatively few Of
these have been removed or have died
IN more than half century.
The honey locust was another VARIETY
which was planted for only a short
time. 1t had two Objectionable fea-
lures. During the fall and winter the
slightest breeze created a loud rafting
OF the hard seeds in the long pods which
hung by the hundreds on the branches
lhls noise caused many a sleepless
night for those citizens unfortunate
enough to have honey locusts in front
OF bedroom windows.
Tree trimmers, too, disliked working
on these trees out of respect for the hard
multipronged thorns which were often
over a foot long. Perhaps less than a
score Of these trees remain on Wash
lngton's streets today.
e-planting activities tncrea sed
slowly with the growth of the city. At
the turn Of the century, when the pop-
ulation was $4,000, there were over 80 =
ooo street trees. In those days street
trees found their environment much
more favorable to vigorous growth and
longevity because the brick walks and
the many unpaved streets absorbed
nearly all Of the rain water which per.
colated down to the tree roots Today.
most trees live in a semidesert en-
vironment, surrounded as they are by
lmpervlous concrete walks and road.
ways. Even with more vigorous species
the average longevity leaves much room
for improvement.
The chief killer of trees TODAY ara
the digging and root-cutting activities
Incidental to the installation of water
gas and sewage facilities, and the dam
age to roots wrought by street-widen-
ing and curb-setting operations.
More Trees Than Any Other CITY.
Despite these vicissitudes, the WASH
ington Of today has the largest street
tree population of any city in the world,
Its 126,000 trees, If set out so feet apart
would extend from the Capitol to the
city of Key West, Fla. Our citizenry
takes pride in the well-kept, trim and
healthy trees, and in the smart appear
ance Of the uniform rows along oul
streets and avenues.
In recent years Washington's trees
and parks found an effective champion
in the late Mrs. Frank B. Noyes Mr.
Lanham paid tribute to her constant
interest and activity in behalf Of the
preservation of Washington,s trees, par
ticularly against the encroachment oi
traffic.
Today the tree student can find ovel
20 varieties growing on the city streets
These include few venerable survivors
from the last century, many trial varie-
ties planted from time to time, and the
host Of naples, oaks, sycamores. elmi
and lindenS.