422 



AMERICAN FORESTRY 



the Philippines and Alaska, as well as from temperate 

 climes. In addition, of course, the park grove will pro- 

 vide an appealing beauty spot for sightseers in years 

 to come. This is the first such collection of trees in ex- 

 istence accessible to the public. In this grove children 

 inav play, students may learn and state traditions be ex- 

 emplified and cherished. 



Some of the contributions to the Los Angeles grove 

 were most apiwaling and throw an interesting sidelight 

 u|)on the history and traditions of the states contribut- 

 ing. Trees and states as well as trees and human beings, 

 do hold certain traits in common. So it seems that it 

 was with a sort of instinct that each state selected the 

 tree best setting forth its particular qualities and worth. 

 Thus: Colorado sent a Blue Spruce, the mountain giant. 

 a tree of great beauty and native of that state alone. 

 Vermont, of course, sent the Sugar Maple two of them. 

 South Dakota, a Spruce, a hardy species of great vigor. 

 Massachu.setts two Oaks, red and white, the oak being 

 the strongest of all trees, able to hold its own in more 

 kinds of soil than any other. Connecticut contributed a 

 "seedling from a seedling" from the original Charter 

 Oak. Missouri sent a Walnut to represent vigor and 

 fruition. Indiana a Sugar Maple, Tennessee a Maple 

 and an .American Elm, significant of this southern state's 

 loyalty. Idaho a Pine. New York a Red Pine, for 

 which species this state is justly celebrated. Nevada a 

 Yellow Pine. Pennsylvania a White Ash, Arizona a 

 Palo Verde, also a Silver Cypress, a vigorous tree, known 

 for its gigantic bulk and long life. Utah contributed a 

 Box Elder, Nebraska a White Cedar, a species of hardy 

 growth, able to hold its own under the most adverse 

 conditions. Maryland sent a Bald Cypress, Ohio a Buck- 

 eye, South Dakota a Black Hills Pine. Louisiana for- 

 warded twin Magnolias, in honor of the twin grand- 

 children of the governor of the state. Alaska sent a 

 Sitka Spruce and an Alaska Cedar, while seeds for 

 propagating the faiiious Ausubo tree were received from 

 faraway Porto Rico. 



Perhaps the most interesting contribution of all, es- 

 pecially to the literary inclined, is that of an oak from 

 the famous "Captain's Hill," in the town of Duxbury, 

 Massachusetts. This hill was the site of the home and 

 farm of Captain Miles Standish, and this oak, now 

 transplanted to the lovely tropical setting in the Los 

 .\ngeles grove is probably the direct descendant of oaks 

 that grew on "Captain's Hill" in the days of the doughty 

 .Miles Standish. 



Considerable interest has been shown and much dif- 

 ference of opinion came to the surface in the selection 

 of trees. Many states found that they did not have a 

 state tree, whereupon heated legislative debates followed, 

 .^ome of the states, as did Kansas, held beautiful dedica- 

 tory ceremonies of blessing the tree in the legislative 

 halls before starting it upon its journey. The Kansas 

 tree, a fine young White Elm, chosen to represent the 

 survival of the fittest, was one of the first to arrive, 

 and was planted with fitting ceremonies by resident 



Kansans in Los Angeles, on March fifth. In this first 

 dedication many notables took part, among them Mr. 

 W. E. Tipton, President South Dakota State Society; 

 Mr. Sai^ Young, President Michigan State Society; 

 Mr. G. F. Amberger, Treasurer Canadian Maple Leaf 

 Club; Mr. Frank H. True, President Federated State 

 .Societies. 



Final and more elaborate ceremonies will follow after 

 all the trees are set, and a marked tablet will be placed 

 at the foot of each tree, giving the name of the state 

 whence it came, the kind of tree and its history. 



Gettysturg Trees Allies of tKe Union 



"PLANTING memorial trees is an excellent idea. The 

 - visit of the Boy Scouts under the leadership of Pro- 

 fessor F. C. Co])p, of Pittsburgh, and setting such a tree 

 on the Battlefield of Gettysburg was a fine demonstration 

 of Memorial Tree planting. 



It is the aim of the Battlefield Commission to preserve 

 the scene of the decisive battle of the war of the States 

 as nearly as possible as it was in 1863. Before the field 

 was taken under government control, some groves, in 

 which severe engagements occurred had been cut down. 

 These have been replanted and replaced with close like- 

 ness to those in which the fighting was done. 



Trees in the Battlefield Park are dying yearly, many of 

 them being scarred veterans, bearing heavy loads of 

 shrapnel and lead. The years in most cases have covered 

 up their wounds, but when these witnesses of the bitter 

 three days of battle are cut up, the bullets and other 

 missiles come to light. About these the grain of the 

 tree is torn and jammed ; several of these mementoes of 

 the past lie near the heart of oak or hickory, and where 

 the number is great doubtless they cause the early death 

 of many trees. 



There are several springs on the battlefield. However, 

 little the trees on the drier heights and the inhospitable 

 rock masses thrive, by these springs and bordering 

 famous Rock Creek and Willoughby's Run are trees that 

 have grown great. Rooted by the waters their leaf does 

 not wither, and they bear their fruit regularly with the 

 seasons. 



Trees played a large part in the Gettysburg battles. 

 McPherson's Woods, Ziegler's Grove, densely wooded 

 Gulp's Hill and Big and Little Round Top and practically 

 every wooded spot, large or small, sheltered the fighters 

 and enabled victories. They were faithful allies in the 

 cause of the Union. 



Trees gave then and continue to give their aid and 

 blessing to the world. They helped to preserve the 

 Union, and so America became peerless among the na- 

 tions. It was this great America, unhampered by the 

 problem of competing nations at hotne, mighty in man- 

 power and wealth, that struck a terrific blow at the 

 throat of the despotic foe of freedom, shattered his 

 forces and gave emancipation to the world. So the 

 fruitage of these trees is borne month by month and their 

 leaves are still for the healing of the nations. 



