STREET AND HIGHWAY PLANTING. 



that the summer temperature was so low, and the prevalence of fogs so 

 great, that trees would be a menace to health. But at this point one 

 might suggest that there are trees and trees. There are species which 

 are undeniably objectionable for excessive shade ; but there are also 

 trees whose shade amounts to almost nothing. There are others whose 

 form would destroy all air currents in any street, particularly in a nar- 

 row one, but there are yet others which would never branch across the 

 street at any age. Again the method of planting would affect this 

 matter of light and air. 



Then aside from the eminently essential question of health, we have 

 the no less vital, if somewhat less appreciated point of aesthetics. To the 

 average mind, there is a certain stimulation to be gained from the con- 

 sideration of any noble work well done. The tree, as it stands perfect 

 in detail and form, expressing an individuality as striking as any human 

 being, is or should be an inspiration to every beholder. Aside from the 

 beauty of a tree as a unit, there is a still greater charm when it takes 

 its place in the great scheme of a well executed planting. The absence 

 of trees and the sense of bareness is a proverbial co-ordination in the 

 present day mind. The ever-quoted examples of Washington and Paris 

 furnish the most striking instances of well planned and well executed 

 plantings. It is a wonderful and inspiring sight to look down long 

 avenues and there see plantings of trees which extend several miles and 

 which give promise of becoming the pride and admiration of generations 

 to come. 



We have earnestly believed and do believe that there is perhaps no 

 one thing that may appear in any city that so adds to its finished appear- 

 ance or to its refinement as a well planned and well executed planting 

 of trees along its streets. Above all things else, let the plan be good. 



The logical outcome of any plan, of any good plan, is unity. Do not 

 imagine that uniformity means the restriction to a single tree, so that 

 wherever one would look that tree would dominate the landscape. Such 

 a proceeding would violate the much abused and yet often neglected 

 principle of variety. But the concensus of opinion demands that the 

 uniform work should be strictly adhered to for each street in towns and 

 cities. In the country more latitude is permissible. (There are some 

 valid arguments against this, of which more hereafter.) The desir- 

 ability of this is most evident when one considers the results now seen. 

 In a certain city, where up to the present time, all planting has been at 

 the discretion or better notion of the property holders, some queer com- 

 binations arise. For example, the east side of one block shows: one 

 chamserops, one oleander, one chamaerops, six white elms, six lirioden- 

 drons, one vacant lot, two umbrella trees, four silver maples, a Canary 

 Island date palm and a walnut! Across from this mixture there are 



