418 



AMERICAN FORESTRY 



close to the trunk and not 

 supported, a heavy hmb 

 will split down the side 

 of the trunk before it is 

 completely severed from 

 the tree. This split of ex- 

 posed wood is difficult to 

 prevent from starting to 

 decay. If the branch is 

 cut too far out, a stub is 

 left which will decay and 

 extend its decay into the 

 heart of the tree. Proper 

 pruning demands that the 

 limb be supported by 

 ropes until severed from 

 the trunk, "by a cut made 

 some distance out from 

 the base of the limb, and 

 that the stub thus left be 

 cut oflf close to the trunk 

 and painted or treated 

 with some preparation 

 which will prevent the 

 start of decay before it 

 heals over. 



The use of cement fill- 

 ings for decayed spots in 

 street trees is doubtless 

 too expensive, if well 

 done, to be practicable on 

 a large scale, however de- 

 sirable it may be as a 

 treatment for privately owned trees. For certain city- 

 owned trees of exceptional size and beauty, it is worth all 

 that it costs. For the ordinary street tree, it is probably 

 best, in the long run, to merely remove the decay, giving 

 the interior sufficient ventilation to check to some degree 

 the progress of decay. In many cases, where the tree is 

 badly decayed, it is best to remove the tree and plant 

 a good-sized healthy young tree to take its place. That 

 such trees need care is obvious. What care they will 

 receive depends much upon the funds available and the 

 tastes and desires of those in- charge. 



Space need not be taken here to diagnose the numer- 

 ous insect and fungous attacks upon trees. The more 



THE CATALPA IN BLOOM 

 Largely used for ornamental purposes on lawns and in parks because of 

 fragrance, showy flowers and heavy foliage. 



phase of tree protection. I 

 refer to the frequent lack of 

 municipal regulation in 

 the planting and care of 

 street trees, the careless 

 attitude of the public, 

 which is really most di- 

 rectly concerned, and the 

 insufficient authority and 

 working funds delegated 

 to city foresters. 



It would be a great in- 

 justice to say that all cities 

 are negligent in their care 

 and appreciation of shade 

 trees, because many cities 

 are keenly alive to the im- 

 portance of the subject. A 

 large number of cities now 

 have trained men to look 

 after the planting and care 

 of their trees. Too often 

 these men are underpaid 

 and as a result poorly 

 trained for the work and 

 not active personally in 

 local aflfairs pertaining to 

 civic improvements. Too 

 often they are limited in 

 funds to such an extent 

 that important work can- 

 not be done at the right 

 time. Civic organizations 

 of every city should interest themselves more in the 

 matter of shade tree improvements to be obtained by 

 trained and well-paid men. It is an investment for the 

 future which no city will ever regret, and its results are 

 almost immediately evident in the improved appearance 

 of the trees and the systematic planting of the right kinds 

 of trees along new streets. 



I believe that we should be optimistic enough to ex- 

 pect that results will speak for themselves, and that every 

 city will rapidly come to realize the importance of placing 

 its planting plans and care of trees in the hands of a 

 competent and well-trained forester, giving him funds 

 and authority, not merely to give advice, but to accom- 



serious of them have received careful study in many quar- . . u .. -n t,o o 



-ru f . .u . vu 11 f r 1 ^ r.( 2.A^ pl sh resu ts, which, measured by beauty, will have a 



The fact that with all of our knowledge of shade- t^ -^ . . 



ters. 



tree insects and fungi, the trees continue to languish and 

 die in many towns and cities, points to a more important 



value in the future unrivalled by any other form of 

 civic improvement. 



THE California lumber manufacturers have taken up the 

 campaign for food production on their available land 

 and Secretary E. A. Blocklinger, of the White and Sugar 

 Pine Manufacturers, has sent out a detailed letter urging 

 the production of food as a patriotic duty and opportunity. 



A TREE forester and landscape engineer are desired by 

 the city of Trenton, N. J., and applications blank 

 for the places should be in not later than August 3. All 

 information regarding the requirements may be had 

 from the Civil Service Commission, Trenton, N. J. 



