STATE LAWS GOVERNING THE PROTECTION AND PLANTING 



OF STREET TREES. 



Circular No. 41 



The State, recognizing the value of street trees, has passed laws to 

 promote street and roadside planting and to protect trees already grow- 

 ing along the public highways. While more encouragement should be 

 given to the planting of permanent trees, both in city streets and along 

 country highways, the preservation of existing trees presents a more 

 immediate and serious problem. Aside from the damage and loss of 

 trees, due to fungus and insect enemies, gas, smoke and poor soil condi- 

 tions, they have to contend against the inroads of telephone linemen, 

 electric light wires, trolley companies, gas mains, and such public 

 utility companies as often use the highways for their private profit 

 with little regard for the public rights in tree property. 



Property owners should be informed of these laws that they may 

 know their legal rights in preventing all kinds of needless injury to 

 their street trees and to guide them in their new plantings along the 

 highways. 



A careful study of the following pages will show that it is the intent 

 of these lav/s to save and protect all street trees, except such as form 

 an actual obstruction to the trafiSc, which is the primary function of a 

 highway. 



