Trees 87 



Life does not depart if these are withdrawn from us ; but it does 

 immediately if air is withdrawn. We can live longer deprived 

 of anything else than we can deprived of air — indeed we cannot 

 live at all if it is taken away from us. 



This little abstract may seem to have nothing to do with tree 

 planting, but it has. Anything that will emphasize the im- 

 portance of an element which can be excluded from our houses 

 so easily, by wrong placing of trees, has an important lesson for 

 prospective planters of trees. Of course foliage will never be 

 dense enough anywhere to smother anyone, but it can very 

 easily be dense enough to seriously interfere with that free circu- 

 lation of air which is so essential to comfort in hot weather, and 

 to health at all times. That is the point. 



On the other hand, a dwelling situated in the open, with no 

 trees near it, is subjected to such a glare of sun and heat during 

 the summer as to seriously affect those living in it. Even with 

 awnings or shutters it is impossible, when exposed to full stm, 

 to secure that depth of shade needful to repose in scorching 

 weather. Nor is a breeze sufficient compensation — man needs 

 rest from heat and glare as much as he needs cooling ; something 

 to soothe his disquieted nerves as well as something to lower his 

 temperature. A certain measure of darkness is comforting as 

 nothing else can be. 



Thus it is evident that air is not enough without shade. We 

 must have both. But ventilation cannot be perfect where the 

 sun's rays do not reach. Heat is necessary, in other words, to 

 help us keep cool. So, though air is the prime essential and 

 shade next, the ideal conditions provide all three. All three are 

 what we must aim to secure, the first in fullest abundance, the 

 second and third in needful proportions. 



I doubt if the real secret of the relation between shade and 



