1912-13] THE TREE WARDEN'S OPPORTUNITY 33 



said that a property owner is entitled to the trees in front of 

 his property if cut down by the tree warden. He can also claim 

 any product of the tree, although he forfeited his right to it when 

 the tree was required for the development of the highway. 

 Mr. Arthur J. Marble, Chairman of the Committee on Winter 

 Meetings, disagreed with that statement, saying that a recent 

 court decision was, that a tree warden has unrestricted authority 

 to take any trees abutting streets, regardless of the owner's 

 desires. 



In explaining the privileges of a tree warden, Mr. Guild said 

 that scarcely any other public officer has so wide and unlimited 

 authority in his jurisdiction. He is a dictator in his field, but 

 before he can cut down a tree, he must go through certain 

 formalities. He said this emphasized the necessity of having 

 an eflftcient tree warden, for he can do much good or harm, 

 according to his ability to discern. 



Mr. David Fiske, Grafton, raised the question of what con- 

 stitutes a shade tree, to which Mr. Guild replied that the 

 matter had never been brought before a court, but is left to 

 the common sense of the oflftcial of the community. He said 

 pines and evergreens are not desirable as they are not essen- 

 tially shade trees, but in some places they furnish a distinct 

 improvement in the landscape. 



Pres. Breed recommended the use of dynamite in tree 

 planting, saying that by using M of a stick, placed about 18" 

 into the ground, with cap and fuse, the ground would be 

 broken up considerably, making it less difficult to excavate 

 the hole, and would loosen the soil so that the roots would go 

 down easily. 



The need of keeping the oflnce of tree warden out of politics; 

 of getting an efficient and intelligent man for the office; of 

 conducting lectures and institutes for the study of what is 

 good and bad for trees; of having books on the subjects of 

 most vital interest to tree wardens, and those most interested in 

 trees; and arousing public interest generally, were all recom- 

 mended in the address and the discussion which followed. 



