418 



AMERICAN FORESTRY 



close to the trunk and nut 

 supported, a heavy Umb 

 will split down the side 

 of the trunk before it is 

 completely severed from 

 the tree. This split of ex- 

 posed wood is difficult to 

 prevent from starting to 

 decay. If the branch is 

 cut too far out, a stub is 

 left which will decay and 

 extend its decay into the 

 heart of the tree. Proper 

 pruning demands that the 

 limb be supported by 

 ropes until severed from 

 the trunk by a cut made 

 some distance out from 

 the base of the limb, and 

 that the stub thus left be 

 cut off close to the trunk 

 and painted or treated 

 w i t h some preparation 

 which will prevent the 

 start of decay before it 

 heals over. 



The use of cement fill- 

 ings for decayed spots in 

 street trees is doubtless 

 too expensive, if well 

 done, to be practicable on 

 a large scale, however de- 

 sirable it may be as a 



THE C.\TALPA IN BLOOM 



Largely used for ornamental purposes on lawns and in parks because of its 



fragrance, showy flowers and heavy foliage. 



phase of tree protection. I 

 refer to the frequent lack of 

 municipal regulation in 

 the planting and care of 

 street trees, the careless 

 attitude of the public, 

 which is really most di- 

 rectly concerned, and the 

 insufficient authority and 

 working funds delegated 

 to city foresters. 



It would be a great in- 

 justice to say that all cities 

 are negligent in their care 

 and appreciation of shade 

 trees, because many cities 

 are keenly alive to the im- 

 portance of the subject. A 

 large number of cities now 

 have trained men to look 

 after the planting and care 

 of their trees. Too often 

 these men are underpaid 

 and as a result poorly 

 trained for the work and 

 not active personally in 

 local affairs pertaining to 

 civic improveiuents. Too 

 often they are limited in 

 funds to such an extent 

 that important work can- 

 not be done at the right 

 time. Civic organizations 



of every city should interest themselves more in the 

 matter of shade tree improvements to be obtained by 



treatment for privately owned trees. For certain city- 

 owned trees of exceptional size and beauty, it is worth all 



that it costs. For the ordinary street tree, it is probably trained and well-paid men. It is an investment for the 



best, in the long run, to merely remove the decay, giving future which no city will ever regret, and its results are 



the interior sufficient ventilation to check to some degree almost immediately evident in the improved ap[iearance 



the progress of decay. In many cases, where the tree is of the trees and the systematic planting of the right kinds 



badly decayed, it is best to remove the tree and plant q^ trees alon<^ new streets 



a good-sized healthy 3-oung tree to take its place. That 

 such trees need care is obvious. What care they will 

 receive depends much upon the funds availalile and the 

 tastes and desires of those in charge. 



Space need not be taken here to diagnose the numer- 

 ous insect and fungous attacks upon trees. The more 

 serious of them have received careful study in many quar- 

 ters. The fact that with all of our knowledge of shade- 

 tree insects and fungi, the trees continue to languish and 

 die in iiiaiiy towns and cities, points to a more important 



I l)elie\e that we should be optimistic enough to ex- 

 pect tiiat results will speak for themselves, and that every 

 city will ra]>idly come to realize the importance of placing 

 its i)lanting plans and care of trees in the hands of a 

 compeleni and well-trained forester, giving him funds 

 and authority, not merely to give advice, but to accom- 

 plish results, which, measured by beauty, will have a 

 value in the future unrivalled by any other form of 

 civic improvement. 



THE California lumber manufacturers have taken up the 

 campaign for food production on their available land 

 and Secretary E. A. Blocklinger, of the White and Sugar 

 Pine Manufacturers, has sent out a detailed letter urging 

 the production of food as a patriotic duty and opportunity. 



A TREE forester and landscape engineer are desired by 

 the city of Trenton, N. J., and applications blank 

 for the places should be in not later than August 3. All 

 information regarding the requirements may be had 

 from the Civil Service Commission, Trenton, N. J. 



