ORNAMENTAL AND SHADE TREES 



863 



tion of these species is invited, with special reference to 

 use in latitudes between New York and Richmond. 



In reply to above questions on street trees, this discus- 

 sion is based on my experience in the care of trees 

 in the city of Wilmington, Del. 



1. I consider the determination of the limits of the 

 "Treeless Zone" to be purely a local one. Decision in 

 all cases can only be reached after a close study of the 

 existing conditions. The narrow streets of this city 

 greatly hasten the crowding 

 out of trees in the business 

 center and manufacturing sec- 

 tions, but we are retaining 

 every tree which it is not abso- 

 lutely necessary to sacrifice. 

 Our treeless zone is compara- 

 tively small. 



2a. We have, too, a Ken- 

 tucky coffee tree which was 

 planted over sixty years ago, 

 now in a dying condition. This 

 tree lived through grade 

 changes, neglect and abuse, 

 and stands in brick pavement. 

 Size, 18-inch diameter, and 

 about 80 feet high. I find the 

 Kentucky coffee tree has a ten- 

 dency to have weak crotches. 



2b. Have some fine willow 

 oaks along the park drives. 

 They are about 20 years old 

 and in good condition. Their 

 straight, clean stems make them 

 fine avenue trees. 



2c. Our single specimen of 

 hackberry as a street tree is 

 fine. Size, about 18 inches, 

 stem 30 feet high. This tree 

 leads me to believe they would 

 make a good street tree. 



2d. We have some large yellow wood trees on the 

 edge of lawns close to the street; they are in good con- 

 dition. These specimens have divided heads and branch 

 low, features not desirable in street trees. This would 

 probably be corrected in young trees by proper pruning. 



2e. White ash are scattered quite generally throughout 

 the city, varying in size and age. All seem to make good 

 trees, give us very little insect trouble. Some very old 

 specimens do well by cutting back to renew the top. 



M. S. Blower, 

 Y. M. C. A., Wilmington, Del. 



In discussing the above questions I wish to make the 

 following answers: 



1. There is no reason why there should be a "treeless 

 zone." The business streets in Washington, in Paris, Lon- 

 don and Berlin all have trees. If properly chosen and 

 trimmed, trees are no interference on a business street, 

 but rather an aid to the shopper. In factory districts 



where atmospheric conditions are unfavorable, we can re- 

 sort to the poplar and ailanthus. The only streets where 

 trees might be eliminated would be those where there are 

 markets and warehouses, where trees would really inter- 

 fere with the convenience of the public. 



2a. Kentucky Coffee a very hardy tree free from in- 

 sects and disease. Should be tried for street planting. 

 The fact that it sends out its leaves late in the spring is 

 a point against it. 



This is the 



SPRAYING ON A LARGE BROOKLINE, SlASS., ESTATE 



most powerful sprayer in the United States, so the owners claim, and it also has the largest 



tank capacity. 



2b. The willow oak is similar to the pin oak in its 

 habits and see no reason against its being tried out for 

 street planting. 



2c. Hackberry makes a good shade tree in the middle 

 west. Not so desirable for the East. 



2d. Yellow ivood is not sufficiently hardy for a street 

 tree and does not have the necessary form. 



2e. White ash ought to make a good tree for high- 

 ways. Can see many fine specimens along highways in 

 Massachusetts. In the city it would be liable to attack 

 by oyster shell scale, but that should not be a point 

 against it. J. J. L., Brooklyn, N. Y. 



Q. The contention has often been made that locust 

 trees have a beneficial effect upon crops growing near 

 them or that crops grown on fields on which there was 

 previously a stand of black locust thrived better than 

 those on adjacent fields. Will you please advise me? 



S. T. D., Washington, D. C. 



