SHADE TREES. 



BY WILLIAM A. MURRILL, A.M., PH.D. 



One of the most obvious facts of the present day is the 

 gathering of agricultural populations into towns and cities. 

 Connected with this fact is the problem of municipal govern- 

 ment and the amelioration of the conditions of city life. The 

 object of this bulletin is to increase the growing interest in 

 shade trees as material aids to the healthfulness and attractive- 

 ness of cities and towns and to consider the principles under- 

 lying their selection and care. It is hoped that an intelligent 

 appreciation of the requirements of city trees will thus be 

 awakened in this country such as exists in the older cities of 

 Europe. 



In the treatment of the subject, a discussion of the value of 

 shade trees with some account of the kinds found in various 

 cities has received first attention. The merits of different trees 

 in common use are next considered and lists made of those 

 which have been found by experience to be best fitted for street 

 plantings and those which have failed in greater or less degree to 

 fulfill the rigid requirements demanded. Lastly, the work of 

 planting, pruning, protecting, caring for wounds, and other 

 operations connected with the general care of street trees are 

 discussed at some length. 



The illustrations are made from photographs by the author, 

 with the exception of those representing leaf-blight of the 

 maple, which were photographed by Miss A. V. Luther. 



THE VALUE OF SHADE TREES IN CITIES. 



The cultivation of trees in cities is beneficial in many ways. 

 In the first place, they add to the healthfulness of a city by cool- 

 ing and purifying the air. Besides cutting off the direct and 

 reflected rays of the sun, foliage exercises a marked effect on the 

 temperature by evaporating large quantities of water from its 

 surface, and the reduction of the temperature in this way is 

 greatest on dry, hot days when it is most needed. Leaves also 



