342 CONNECTICUT EXPERIMENT STATION REPORT, IQOO. 



It may be added that the fertilizer and lime above recom- 

 mended are an excellent dressing for grass and lawns, and that 

 a well fertilized and well watered lawn greatly helps the trees 

 which stand on the street bordering it. 



4. Mutilation of trees by horses, by street work and by electric 

 wires. Our present city ordinances forbid "any person to cut, 

 bruise, injure or destroy any tree or shrub for shade, ornament, 

 or use in any street or public square," also "to fasten any horse 

 or other animal to any shade tree in any street or who shall 

 place or leave any horse or other animal in such a manner 

 that it may injure any shade tree," also "to mischievously injure 

 or remove any fixture placed around any tree for its protection," 

 or "to attach any guy rope, show bill, advertisement or other 

 thing upon any tree without the permission of the Board of 

 Public Works." 



These regulations are suitable and sufficient for the protection 

 of our trees if they were thoroughly enforced, which they mani- 

 festly are not and perhaps practically cannot be. Nevertheless 

 more might be done in this direction, and we would suggest that 

 the police be instructed to take notice of all infractions which 

 come to their knowledge and that the offenders be vigorously 

 prosecuted. 



The regulation of stringing electric wires is a delicate and 

 difficult matter and it might be advisable to require that this 

 should always be done under the supervision of an inspector 

 furnished by the Board of Public Works at the expense of the 

 Company doing the work. 



As to the cutting of roots in the laying of curb stones, gutters, 

 sidewalks and street mains, we know of no way to prevent it. 

 The liability of our trees to damage from these causes seems 

 inseparable from the necessity of properly constructed streets, 

 and from the existence of heat, light and water systems which 

 are indispensable municipal requirements. The Board of Public 

 Works, however, rather than a contractor, should in all cases 

 decide when and where mutilation of the trunk or roots of a 

 tree is necessary. 



All trees near the curb and within reach of horses should be 

 so protected that they cannot be bitten or gnawed. Young trees 

 should be surrounded by a frame or by wire netting so adjusted 

 that it will not bind or cut the bark as the tree grows. For 



