3o8 



Bulletin 256. 



early falling, the loosening of the bark and its falling away from the 

 trunk, the appearance of fungous growths on the trunk and branches, 

 and the occasional peculiar color and odor of the wood. The best 

 method of treating trees which show the early stages of injury from 



gas is at once to aerate the soil in 

 the immediate vicinity of the roots 

 by breaking up the hard coating on 

 the surface. The practice of open- 

 ing a ditch and leaving it open for 

 some time has frequently saved 

 trees. 



This injur\^ to street trees from 

 gas has been demonstrated so con- 

 clusively that gas companies now 

 recognize the fact, and often settle 

 damages for suits brought against 

 them on this account. Some of 

 the settlements which such com- 

 panies have made for trees injured 

 or killed in this way have ranged 

 from $5.00 to $1 50.00 per tree, de- 

 pending on the location and the 

 valuation of the abutting property. 

 There seems to be but one means 

 of controUing this danger, and 

 that is to cause gas companies to 

 be more careful in the inspection 

 of newly made joints by the impo- 

 sition of suitable fines for injuries. 

 Public sentiment should control 

 in such work. 



(b) Electricity. The network of 

 electric railroads and electric light- 

 ing systems, which serve as a means 

 of more closely uniting our cities and towns, has proved a dangerous 

 enemy to shade-tree life. There is a constantly increasing number of 

 fatal injuries from the contact of live wires with the trees. 



The injuries caused to trees from electricity, directly or indirectly, 

 are a source of much complaint. Telephone companies sometimes cut 

 their way through avenues of trees, and the electric light companies 

 often go farther and in many cases burn their way through. 



Fig. 224. — Wires should seldom be at- 

 tached' to trees; the cross-bars injure 

 the batk. 



