220 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



the appearance of the streets. Left to the individual tastes of the prop- 

 erty owners, little good can be effected. Formality of tree arrangement 

 along streets is called for, while informality or natural arrangement of 

 trees in clumps or singly is ordinarily best for lawns and parks. 



Formality or arrangement of trees along a street is only possible 

 when the owners abide by the rules and regulations of one man or a 

 board or commission. 



A bill authorizing the towns and cities to appoint street tree com- 

 missions was killed in committee during the recent session of the leg- 

 islature. The chairman of the committee took the position that the bill 

 enacted into a law would curtail the liberties of the citizens in so far 

 as they could not dictate the species of trees to be grown in front of 

 their houses along the street, and as the spacing of the trees would be 

 left to the judgment of others, while the expense would be borne by 

 the owner, either wholly or in part. But the style of curbing, the absence 

 or presence of parking, and the material in the street surface is not left 

 to the individual tastes of the property owners, although they are obliged 

 to pay for at least a portion of the improvements. It is not consistent, 

 then, to leave street trees out of the general scheme of street uniformity. 



The character and quality of street trees are no mean factor in siz- 

 ing up the community. Few things contribute more to the cultivation 

 of local civic pride than the trees. Our first impressions of a city are 

 gained from the appearance of its stores, public buildings, residences and 

 trees. Perhaps the chief charm of Washington lies in its streets and 

 parks. 



Trees add not a little to one's contentment. Some of the pioneers 

 of Nebraska have said, "We missed the trees more than we did our 

 relatives and former acquaintances." And they planted trees, but the 

 practice declined when the second generation came to be influential in 

 affairs. High-priced land may have been largelj' responsible for the lack 

 of interest in tree planting. 



Cities are located where commerce, water power, or transportation 

 facilities dictate. Rarely are the sites chosen because of beautiful en- 

 vironment. The first years of the city's existence are marked by pov- 

 erty and the struggle for existence. Little attention is then directed to- 

 ward esthetics. After years bring wealth, culture, and the correction of 

 former crudities. 



City trees have a value which can not be gauged by the volume 

 of the trees in board feet or in cords. The appellate court in New York 

 recently confirmed judgment requiring a construction company to pay 

 $300 to the owner for cutting down a single tree. 



The original investment in trees is small, the returns are large. 

 Real estate companies developing suburban properties realize this. The 

 presence of a beautiful tree may add hundreds of dollars to the selling 

 value of the property. 



Besides making a city attractive the street trees contribute toward 

 making the city beautiful. 



