Shade Trees for Streets and Parks 103 



ties and breaking of branches. Many trees found in windy 

 situations have their branches turned in one direction, and in 

 some cases branches are torn off and the trees are left to pre- 

 sent an unsightly appearance. When the roots of trees are 

 found near the surface of the ground, a long-continued spell of 

 cold weather may cause them to be winter killed. 



Gas is often the cause of the death of many trees. If a 

 gas-main springs a leak, the soil in the vicinity will soon be- 

 come filled with poison and the roots which penetrate the soil, 

 coming in contact with this will absorb gas and soon die. In 

 cases of gas poisoning, the only remedy is to renew the soil 

 as soon as evidences of its effect are noticed. 



Smoke issuing from the stacks of furnaces in which soft 

 coal is used contains a vast amount of soot which gathers 

 upon the leaves and bark of trees, filling up the breathing 

 pores, thus retarding the leaves in the performance of their 

 normal functions. Besides the soot present in the smoke of 

 soft coal, a gas is also generated from the sulphur which is 

 present. This gas not only poisons ths leaves, but tends to 

 extract the water from them, thus causing an excessive 

 amount of evaporation. 



Electric wires coming in contact with trees are sure to 

 cause damage since the insulation is soon worn away and the 

 death of the tree is sure to follow. In stringing the wires 

 workmen often cut out the tops of trees, leaving them in an 

 unsightly condition, allowing fungi to enter the stubs of 

 branches which remain, thus bringing decay to the trunk of 

 the tree. This source of injury is altogether too common in 

 American cities. Not until electric light and telegraph 

 companies are made to appreciate the fact that as public 

 service corporations, they are obliged to observe the rights of 

 public and private property owners, will this wholesale de- 

 struction of trees cease. 



In making improvements along the streets, many trees 

 are unnecessarily sacrificed. Guy ropes are frequently at- 

 tached while buildings are in process of construction and 

 unless the trees are protected, the bark is often broken and 

 the injury resulting allows disease to enter and death is sure 

 to follow. Brick and stones are often heaped around trees 

 and the bark loosened, causing serious injury. Teamsters 

 carelessly allow wagon wheels to come in contact with trees, 



