2. Tree Planting in Texas. 



Interest in tree planting in West and Central Texas and the lack of 

 suitable trees to plant warrant the employment of a technical planting 

 assistant with headquarters in Western Texas and the establishment of 

 one or more State nurseries where planting stock may be grown and dis- 

 tributed at cost to persons who desire it. While the iState Forestry law 

 unquestionably authorizes the State Forester to establish and maintain, 

 nurseries for growing trees there may be some question as to the advisa- 

 bility of entering into a commercial distribution of trees without specific 

 authority from the Legislature. It would be desirable to amend the Forestry 

 Act, authorizing the State Forester to establish such State nurseries and 

 to sell trees at cost. 



The time is approaching when some provision should be made by the 

 State to prevent unnecessary and wanton injury to roadside trees and to 

 encourage roadside planting on a large scale. A number of States have 

 roadside tree laws, notably California, New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsyl- 

 vania. Some provide for the election or appointment of county or township 

 tree wardens. In California county boards of forestry may be appointed 

 by the county supervisors to have charge and control of all shade trees 

 growing upon the public highways. In Maryland permission to remove 

 or trim roadside trees must be secured from the State Board of Forestry. 

 Forest wardens and other police officials are responsible for the enforce- 

 ment of the law. In New Jersey, Pennsylvania and other States the law 

 provides for the appointment of tree commissioners at the option of the 

 various municipalities of the State to have charge of the trees and con- 

 trol tree planting along highways. In all these iStates it is a misdemeanor 

 punishable by a fine to injure or remove trees along public highways with- 

 out authority. Trees for planting along roadsides in some States are grown 

 in the State forest nurseries and sold at cost. In Texas considerable thought 

 is being given to the preservation of existing roadside trees. The impor- 

 tance of a law to prevent unnecessary injury is becoming apparent. 



By statutory enactment Arbor Day in Texas comes on Washington's 

 Birthday, February- 22. Over most of the State this date is too late for 

 the most effective results in tree planting, particularly in seasons where 

 the early spring months are noticeably dry. By placing the official tree 

 planting date earlier in the winter or in the late fall the young trees would 

 receive the benefit of winter rains before the growing season commences. 

 In addition whatever interest in Arbor Day planting is evidenced by the 

 general public would have a better chance to materialize if the date were 

 toward the begining rather than at the end of the season for the most 

 successful planting. 



3. Farm Woodlot Demonstration. 



The management of woodlots in connection with farms throughout 

 Central and Eastern Texas offers a large field for expert forestry work. 

 The woodlot should be given proportionate consideration on every farm. 

 Nearly every county, except in the western part of the State, contains from 



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