SHADE TREES. 



145 



of permanently planted species is slow, alternating trees of quick growth, 

 like the Italian and Carolina poplars, is advisable, and when the more 

 permanent trees have reached a fair height the poplars may be removed. 



COUNTRY ROADSIDES. 



One of the wisest provisions of the Massachusetts laws relative to shade 

 trees is that trees and shrubs bordering country roadsides shall be pro- 

 tected by statutes similar to those in residential districts. Much of the 

 senseless slashing of roadside shrubbery so long in vogue is now largely 

 prevented. Xew England country road- 

 sides are unsurpassed in beauty, and the 

 miscellaneous character of trees and shrubs 

 to be found growing along them is a source 

 of great pleasure to tourists. 



There are several ways of treating 

 country roadsides. One of these methods 

 is to maintain a regularly planted tree 

 belt on a graded and neatly kept roadside, 

 which results in a conventional effect. 

 Another scheme consists in allowing the 

 development of shrubbery and eliminating 

 the tree growth which is often objection- FIG . 16 ._ Illu3trating met hod of 

 able when crops are growing up to the 

 highway. Or a system combining both 

 shrubbery and trees may be employed, 

 allowing the trees eventually to crowd out 

 most of the shrubbery. 



Most roadsides are lined with a miscel- 

 laneous growth of shrubbery and trees, 

 located irregularly, which produce good 



effects, but when conventionality in the surroundings has been aimed 

 at the well-kept roadside and tree belt are legitimate. However, there 

 are roadsides on which no trees or shrubbery can be allowed, for 

 instance when the road runs through valuable farm land used for more 

 or less intensive agricultural purposes. Trees absorb a great deal of 

 moisture, and this factor and the shade produced interfere greatly with 

 crop production. 



For generations roadsides have been used for dumping grounds by 

 certain misguided persons, and one of the objects of maintaining road- 

 side shrubbery in its natural condition is to cover this extreme unsight- 

 liness from view. Unfortunately many think they are conferring a benefit 

 on the public when they cut roadside shrubbery and leave it beside the 

 road to decay. Roadside planting is Nature's planting, and is envied 

 by the best landscape architects. It has the merit of intrinsic beauty; 

 it is harmonious, no matter how heterogeneous the mass may be, and 

 never becomes tiresome or monotonous like conventional planting. Many 



growing trees on busy thor- 

 oughfares. The conventional 

 type, such as the Oriental 

 plane which tolerates severe 

 annual pruning, is planted 

 between the sidewalk and 

 curbing in a rich loam 3 or 4 

 feet deep, provided with spe- 

 cial subirrigation tile. 



