THE LAW OF SHADE TREES. 



E. A. START. 



THE OFFICE OF TREE WARDEN. 



For several years prior to 1899 there was a provision in the Mass- 

 achusetts statutes that towns might elect tree wardens. By the act 

 of that year it was provided that every town must elect a tree warden 

 and the duties and powers of the office were defined. The tree 

 warden law of 1899, with certain amendments in details, remains in 

 force today and regulates the care of shade trees in every town in 

 the commonwealth. It does not apply to cities. 



The tree warden is an elective officer, with very complete powers 

 in his own jurisdiction. He is responsible .only to the body of citi- 

 zens that elects him, although in the matters of making regulations 

 and of locating trees to be planted he must act in conjunction with 

 the selectmen. The warden's success in administering his office 

 depends in a great measure upon the interest of the people of his 

 town in their trees and the support which they give him. An intel- 

 ligent, capable tree warden, well supported by his constituents, may 

 be a power for good in maintaining and improving the trees of his 

 town. The reverse of this proposition is equally true. 



The tree warden holds a responsible position which carries with it 

 a duty to his town. The trees that are put in his care are one of 

 the chief resources for maintaining the beauty and health of the 

 place. His duty is not merely the negative one of preventing cutting 

 and disfigurement. He should plan systematically to maintain all 

 existing trees at their maximum of attractiveness by careful, well- 

 advised pruning, not careless cutting ; by protecting with guards all 

 promising young growth and all older trees that are liable to dis- 

 figurement by horses or otherwise ; by preventing companies run- 

 ning wires above ground and pipes below ground from injuring the 

 branch or root systems ; and by planting or encouraging planting 

 along roadsides. He should be an active apostle of the cause of 

 the trees in his town, leading public sentiment and creating a better 

 understanding of the value of good trees in the community. 



