16 TOWN PLANTING 



Another source of failure in street planting 

 is the generally pent-up condition of the 

 roots, for in several cases that have come 

 under our notice lately the planter seemed 

 to think that it was quite enough to cut a 

 small hole in the pavement or street of suffi- 

 cient size to hold the roots of the tree to be 

 inserted. Were the soil free, as we find in a 

 field, this system might answer; but where 

 the roadway is hard as iron and composed 

 mainly of clinkers and gravel, the case is 

 totally different. Another fruitful source of 

 failure in street planting is placing the pave- 

 ment in too close proximity to the stem of 

 the tree, and numerous instances could be 

 pointed out where even old and established 

 specimens have suffered irreparable damage 

 in consequence of having the paving brought 

 up too close to the stems. 



The roots should always be allowed plenty 

 of breathing room, and to effect this a good- 

 sized space should be railed off around each 

 tree and no pavement laid within it. Gratings 

 may be placed on the surface of the ground 



