FORESTER'S REPORT. 79 



and everyone concerned is indisposed to alter the plans. And 

 not infrequently the complaint is made in a way that arouses 

 local antagonisms. The Forest Commission can have no part in 

 such controversies, but it will gladly consider any problem that is 

 brought to it by the authorities having jurisdiction, or by 

 individuals when the object is not to> defeat official action. It is 

 not always possible to> convert a country road to a town street, 

 with curbing and sidewalks, and this is the commonest form, of 

 the difficulty, without injuring or destroying trees, but often a 

 compromise can be made. If therefore unnecessary loss is to be 

 avoided the situation must be studied before, not after, the 

 improvement plans are adopted; mos.t certainly before lines and 

 levels are established, the contract let and work begun. See 

 Figs. 16-22. Where State-aid road improvements are involved 

 the Forest Commission is assured of the co-operation of the Com- 

 missioner of Public Roads. 



Fig. Jp. How a Street Grade May Be Loivered Without Destroying Estab- 

 lished Shade Trees. 



The upper picture shows a row of fine trees where the level of the road 

 and of the sidewalk has been lowered. At A the curb is abruptly raised eight 

 inches above the normal level; the base of the tree at B is 30 inches above 

 the gutter. Though the mounds about the bases of the trees are objection- 

 able they sufficiently protect the roots. 



The middle picture shows the base of a large maple tree with a bad ex- 

 posure of roots and a break in the curb. Though this is objectionable it 

 is to be preferred to the sacrifice of any reasonably well developed, healthy 

 tree. In this case the situation can be tolerated until new trees planted on 

 either side of the old one are grown enough to replace it. 



In the lower picture are seen two devices for saving sidewalk trees : 

 First, the provision as at C and D for retaining the soil about the roots of, 

 trees left above grade. This is objectionable, and cannot be permanent, but 

 if new trees are set out at x, x, x, the tree H as well as C and D may ulti- 

 mately be removed without disadvantage either to the shade tree plan, or 

 to the adjoining properties. The second feature is that necessary electric 

 wires are cabled and carried through the line of trees without injuring any. 

 This is always a practical means of stringing telephone wires where trees 

 are well grown. 



