192 SKY KM H REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



orders were issued for its removal.* All of these species are pleasing in appearance, 

 and each has some good quality to commend its use, but they should be reserved 

 for lawns, dooryards and parks, where they will appear to better advantage than 

 along the curbstones. 



None of the evergreens have a place on the list, for they are of little use as 

 shade trees. Most of them are forest trees, which, when growing in the open, assume 

 a different habit, their lower iimbs commencing at the ground. A row of White 

 Pines, properly trimmed, might be used on a country road, and the Tamarack, or 

 American Larch, looks well in the farmer's dooryard ; but all evergreens require skill 

 and great care in transplanting, and seem out of place in city streets. Many of 

 them, however, are highly ornamental, and very useful for park and lawn purposes; 

 and then there is the unquestionable advantage which evergreens have in winter, 

 giving beauty to a roadside when all the other trees are bare. 



Destructive Insects. 



Objection will probably be made to some of the species named because of their 

 liability to injury from destructive insects. But if all such trees are to be thrown 

 out, the choice will be narrowed down to a very few kinds, the excluded ones 

 embracing many of our finest and most popular shade trees. Even then, there is no 

 assurance that the remaining species, although free from insects hitherto, will con- 

 tinue in their immunity. The freedom of certain trees from insect blight is due 

 largely to the fact that few have been planted, and that the pests find plenty of 

 food in the other species. While it may not be possible to fully exterminate these 

 borers and insects, or prevent entirely the injury from this source, the evil can be so 

 controlled that their destructive work can be greatly minimized ; and, as regards 

 some species and insects, entirely obviated. It would seem that the better plan is 

 to continue planting whatever species may be desirable, and, then, through intelli- 



* The Common Council of Albany passed an ordinance in 1871, providing that "No person shall 

 plant or maintain in the city of Albany any tree of the species commonly called the Cottonwood, and 

 any person who shall maintain, or suffer to remain, after reasonable notice by the Street Department 

 to remove such tree, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall incur a penalty not exceeding 

 ten dollars for each day such tree shall remain after notice to remove, or by imprisonment in the 

 Albany County Penitentiary not exceeding three months, or both, in the discretion of the Court." 

 Pursuant to this law all the Cottonwoods on the streets of Albany were cut down. The ordinance is 

 still in force. 



In other cities orders were issued for the removal of this species; but it does not appear that it was 

 a penitentiary offense for an obstinate citizen to " maintain " his preference for a Cottonwood. 



