94 AMERICAN FORESTRY 



neglect. As you know trees are too tolerant of abuse to go all at once, but 

 their decay and ruin are matters of certain progress if once neglected. When 

 the ill effects become evident the people blame the caterpillars or the fungi. 

 But the truth is that the caterpillars are only one factor in the problem and 

 the civic uplifters who ought to know better are the other factor. Here then 

 is a field for champions in the cause of tree preservation. It is pioneer work 

 and the cause needs good men. Let the trained foresters enter the work and 

 with your aid our cities will become awave with trees and the minds of the 

 citizens alive with interest and sympathy for the forest problems of our 

 country. 



Now, the American Forestry Association can be greatly instrumental m 

 accomplishing this end. I would suggest that the American Forestry Asso- 

 ciation adopt measures for taking an active interest in city tree work. It 

 might establish a city tree department co-operating with the American Asso- 

 ciation for the Planting and Preservation of City Trees, whose headquarters 

 are in Brooklvn, and set down for its object the furtherance of proper care, 

 planting and study of city trees throughout the country. It would urge the 

 question on all municipal authorities, and through a local forester, tree 

 warden, or civic organization as its representative, establish tree centers in 

 all cities. It might also consider and recommend the adoption of uniform city 

 tree ordinances, the publication of authentic information in city trees and the 

 employment of a shade and ornamental tree expert by the state who would 

 lend his services to the various cities of that state in need of his advice. I 

 was quite convinced of the need of such an officer last summer when I received 

 a large number of requests from outside cities asking what to do and how to 

 start off in the care of their city trees. I assisted by personal visit a few that 

 I could reach without loss of time and the others I could only satisfy through 

 correspondence. 



With such work as I have outlined, the wholesome effect of city trees upon 

 our civic life would soon become a matter of general appreciation and from 

 this feeling there would soon grow a practical knowledge of their resources and 

 value in relation to every human activity. 



