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AMERICAN FORESTRY 



BLASTING TO AID CENTRAL PARK TREES 



A N interesting experiment in the use of dynamite in 

 *"*- aiding the growth of trees was recently made in 

 Central Park, New York City. As explained in an article 

 in American Forestry Magazine (October, 1919), and 

 as pointed out by Commissioner of Parks Francis D. 

 Gallatin, the subsoil underlying the greater portion of 



TREATMENT FOR DYING TREES 



Francis D. Gallatin, New York's Commissioner of Parks, drilling a 

 hole in the ground close to a dying tree. Nitro-glycerine was placed 

 in the hole, and the ground around the tree shattered and broken in 

 the endeavor to provide additional nourishment to the tree. 



Central Park hinders the growth of trees of the deep 

 rooted species because the roots cannot penetrate it, and 

 it also makes an artificial water level, keeping the top 

 soil flooded during the wet season and abnormally dry 

 during the dry season. 



The experiment in blasting the soil was intended to 

 shatter this impervious subsoil, permit better drainage 

 and add to the vitality of the trees. The experiment was 

 on the west drive, between Ninety-fifth and Ninety-sixth 

 Streets under the direction of Commissioner Gallatin and 

 in charge of City Forester J. S. Kaplan. Ten holes 

 were made with a soil auger, about nine feet apart and 

 at a radius of about twelve feet from the body of a pin 

 oak tree about 21 inches in diameter. The holes were 

 from two and one-half to three and one-half feet deep, 

 depending upon the depth of the hard pan clay subsoil. 



Each hole was loaded with Red Cross Extra dynamite by 

 F. T. Ransom, an expert of the Du Pont Powder Com- 

 pany, and all were fired together. The hardpan all about 

 the tree was well loosened. In two of the holes pin oak 

 trees three inches in diameter were planted and their 

 growth will be watched with interest, and compared 

 with the growth of similar trees planted in unblasted 

 holes. 



Commissioner Gallatin says : "I have given this matter 

 considerable study for several months ,and upon the ad- 

 vice of Prof. J. W. Tourney, of the Yale School of For- 

 estry, who made a comprehensive survey of the tree 



DYNAMITE FOR TREE PLANTING 



A tree being planted in Central Park, New York city, in a hole made 

 by dynamiting the ground. The heavy subsoil in Central Park 

 makes it difficult for trees to thrive there, as their roots will not pene- 

 trate it. Breaking up the ground in this way gives them a better chance. 



situation in Central Park with the Forester of this De- 

 partment, we have decided to carry out this experiment 

 through the kind co-operation of the Du Pont Powder 

 Company." 



If the experiment is successful it will mark the begin- 

 ning of the mechanical rejuvenation of the soil in Central 

 Park and will greatly improve and strengthen the trees. 



PHE following applied and were elected Life Members 

 of the American Forestry Association in February : 

 Jane A. Tracy, Ohio. 

 Mrs. H. J. Lutcher, Texas. 

 Mrs. L. Carteret Fenno, Massachusetts. 

 Mr. E. P. Mellon, New York. 

 Mrs. Richard March Hoe, New York. 



HPHE new envoy selected by President Wilson to serve 

 ~ as Ambassador to Italy is Robert Underwood John- 

 son. Mr. Johnson has long been associated with the 

 American Forestry Association as a member, and he 

 succeeds in his high office as American Ambassador to 

 Italy the Hon. Thomas Nelson Page, who is also a 

 member of the Association a former Director and now 

 a Vice President. 



