So REPORT OF THE FOREST COMMISSION. 



ROADSIDE TREES. 



In rather striking contrast with the general activity in behalf 

 of street trees goes a common indifference to the shadeless condi- 

 tion of most country roads. This should not be for a tree- 

 bordered road is more comfortable and more practical than one 

 that is exposed to sun, wind and the untidiness that is almost 

 universal. The borders of all main highways should have' some 

 of the same care that is bestowed upon the roadbed. It is there- 

 fore recommended that the State Road Commissioner be author- 

 ized to require that all roads built or improved with State aid be 

 provided with lines of suitable shade trees. Many country roads 

 should have the same provision, but that may be expected to 

 follow if the State-aid roads are used as an example. The initial 

 cost need in no case be more than $500 a mile, it would usually 

 be much less through the utilization of trees already standing. 

 Provision for the care of the trees would be an item in the up- 

 keep of the road itself. The Forest Commission is prepared 

 to furnish all necessary technical assistance. Any fear of exces- 

 sive shading and consequent muddiness in a road may be set 

 aside, for the duty of the arborist, as well as of the road engineer, 

 would provide for trees, in kind and arrangement, suitable for 

 each situation. 



DAMAGE BY DROUGHT. 



During the late spring and summer quite a number of owners 

 appealed for help to avert the loss of valued trees by a blight 

 that was evident enough, but traceable to no cause. Street 

 trees, lawn trees, even some beside water courses, withered and 

 looked distressed. Beeches, pin oaks, sycamores and red cedars 

 were most affected. It was finally established beyond all doubt 

 that the trouble was due to an accumulated deficiency of water by 

 which the under soil, rather than the surface, was depleted. In 

 some cases newly planted trees failed because the water applied 

 drained off quickly to the lower levels and left none to nourish 

 the restricted, superficial root body. This happened in Newark 



