The Enemies of Trees 



dry weather. In wet weather a film of water covers the tree 

 and leakage is Hkely to occur. If insulation is defective and 

 contact between wire and tree exists, grounding results, and the 

 tree is burned where the wire touches it. 



6. While no instance has shown death produced by alternating 

 current, yet the proofs are absolute that this cause maims and 

 disfigures young trees so badly that it amounts to their 

 destruction. 



7. Arc lights in close proximity to trees cannot be discovered 

 to be accountable for any sickliness these trees exhibit. Poverty 

 of the soil, paving, etc., are generally the causes. 



8. Linemen's spurs do great damage to the bark of young 

 trees. 



9. Wounds caused by climbing and ill-advised pruning 

 and by burning leave trees an easy prey to insect and fungous 

 enemies. 



10. There is no permanent recovery possible to the trees 

 while the wires remain in place and in use. 



IVhat will mitigate this trouble? 



1. In cities, the laying of wires underground. 



2. In villages, carrying the wires across the back of lots 

 instead of the front. 



3. Lifting wires higher by using taller poles. 



4. Giving a competent committee power to act for the com- 

 munity to prevent the defacing of roadside trees by corporations 

 owning franchises, and ignoring the law and the rights of property 

 owners along their rights of way. 



5. Forcing corporations to put necessary pruning in the 

 hands of competent men. 



6. Forcing trolley and electric light companies to preserve 

 the beauty of the highway, even at a sacrifice of short cuts and 

 conveniences they customarily exact without payment from a 

 long-suflFering public. 



7. Organising in every community in the interests of civic 

 beauty, with a strong, fearless committee to defend the trees 

 against the vandalism of pole-setting, wire-stringing corporations. 

 Let them be well informed on the legal side of their cause, and 

 vigilant to have the law enforced. 



522 



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