Canadian Forestry Journal, October, 1919 



413 





In the 30,000 Islands of the Georgian Bay. Grand Trunk Railway. 



SHADE TREE PROTECTION UNDER A COMMISSION 



By Waller D. Ludwig, District Forester, Johnstown, Penna. 



Without a doubt, one of the most potent and 

 efficient methods of getting the average urban 

 dweller interested in forestry principles and 

 practices is to convert him into a shade tree 

 enthusiast and by a proper system of educa- 

 tional training, hints, and suggestions, he will 

 soon become innoculated with the virus of 

 forestry and so an ardent advocate of the 

 cause. Where it is not possible to carry the 

 city man into the forest, it is possible to plant 

 a tree in his yard or along the street in front of 

 his home and cultivate his interest in its suc- 

 cessful growing and care so that he will be 

 but a few short steps away from a knowledge 

 of trees in the aggregate and their relationships 

 to our industrial and economic life. 



Shade tree forestry then must take its place 

 as one of the many methods of educational ef- 

 fort which are to be fostered and encouraged 

 to bring about a more intimate knowledge of 

 the care and protection of trees and their im- 

 portance in the general life and actions of the 

 people. 



As a rule the condition of the average shade 

 tree on the streets of the many cities, towns 

 and villages is deplorable and shows an ab- 



solute disregard of the proper methods of 

 handling and caring for trees. The trees have 

 been planted without any regard as to the pro- 

 per species suitable for a certain condition, 

 have been supposedly trimmed, but really 

 hacked into a semblance of their former majesty 

 and beauty by the greatest enemy of the shade 

 tree in existence to-day, the "tree butcher" and 

 have suffered untold but unmistakably plain 

 evidences of ill-treatment. 



The most important thing to be done is to 

 see that careful and appropriate ordinances, by- 

 laws and regulations are drawn up to give the 

 necessary measure of protection to the shade 

 trees and all the records of existing shade tree 

 commissions should be searched thoroughly for 

 the best features incorporated therein. With- 

 out these necessary things with which to give 

 power to the commission, it is a waste of time 

 and effort to take steps to create such a body. 



Our ordinances m Johnstown. Pennsylvania, 

 are rather drastic, but not more so than was 

 indicated by the circumstances. Besides pro- 

 viding that written permits must be obtained for 

 the removal, planting, or trimming of any tree 

 in the public highway, and specifying penalties. 



