Division of Botany 



GEORGE E. STONE. 



Injuries to Shade Trees from Electricity. 



Within the last few years increased interest has been manifested 

 in shade trees and in road side improvement. This interest has 

 been stimulated in Massachusetts by landscape gardeners and, more 

 particularly, by the Massachusetts Forestry Association, the Massa- 

 achusetts Horticultural Society, and the State Board of Agriculture. 

 Village Improvement Societies which have been in existence in some 

 towns for many years have also become more active and numerous, 

 and their interest in tree planting has been fruitful of good results. 



Shade trees have many adverse conditions to contend with, which 

 are becoming more numerous each year, and are likely to increase 

 with the development of our cities and towns along present lines. 

 Many of these difficulties can be obviated, if attention is given to 

 their care and normal conditions of growth. Others, however, are 

 not so readily disposed of and hence the trees must frequently sufifer. 



Some of the detrimental factors are the following: 



Interference with soil moisture and root respiration by paved and 

 macadamized roads and sidewalks. 



Destruction of the root system by excavations for buildings, 

 sewers, water, gas and steam pipes. 



Interference of the root system by earth fillings and regradings. 



Abnormal physical and chemical conditions of soil made up of 

 refuse material, and of unsuitable soil texture causing an insuffic- 

 iency or over supply of soil moisture. 



Effects of soil covers as afTecting water supply, etc. 



Injuries arising from horses' teeth, abrasions from teams, etc. 



Effects of exposure to various obnoxious atmospheric gases and 

 smoke. 



