224 TREES AS GOOD CITIZENS 



fare. The planting of them according to the personal 

 tastes of the different owners is as inimical to the general 

 effect as would be the paving of the street in front of each 

 property according to the personal preferences of its 

 occupant. In this selection it is imperative that there 

 should be harmony of choice and concert of action. In a 

 real sense, each tree planted belongs to the entire neigh- 

 borhood. That the man who cuts down his own fine tree 

 injures the property of his neighbors is recognized in the 

 law of one state. To plant an undesirable species or type 

 of tree is an offence equally serious. 



With the lack of uniformity that goes hand in hand with 

 haphazard planting is irregularity in the spacing of trees. 

 One man may want a tree in the center of his lot frontage, 

 while his next door neighbor may choose to place one at 

 each side. Individual preference may cause one man's 

 tree to crowd that of his neighbor so closely that both will 

 soon be completely misshapen. Across the street there may 

 be a gap of 200 feet or more between trees. One con- 

 dition is as bad as another. Overcrowding and exces- 

 sive gaps are to be avoided, as harmony is as essential in 

 spacing as in species. 



There is further danger in individual tastes being 

 exercised on the trees throughout the period of develop- 

 ment and growth. Such danger exists with reference to 

 trimming. One may like the trees pruned so low that the 

 branches touch the hats of passers-by. Another may pre- 

 fer the complete elimination of the lower branches, and 

 accordingly, trim his thrifty and growing shade tree close 

 to the very top; while a third may be too busy to trim his 

 trees either way. Such diversity brings about an uneven- 

 ness and raggedness fatal to the desired effect. 



Choice of tree guards may give rise to further disparity, 

 if one uses fancy pine pickets, painted red, another wire- 



