The Enemies of Trees 



is a distinct damage, which lowers the tree's vitaUty, and in 

 extreme cases kills it outright. The soil of towns is often "made," 

 containing refuse, such as tin cans, glass bottles, ashes and cinders 

 — anything but good soil. Roots obliged to batten on such pas- 

 turage can hardly be expected to keep the top growing well. 



Excavations for buildings and for the laying of sewer pipes, 

 water and gas mains generally ignore the trees whose roots lie 

 in the way. Whatever interferes is cut out without thought of 

 the rights of the community in the trees that give beauty and 

 shade to its streets. 



Horses gnaw the bark and kill by girdling unguarded trees 

 used as hitching posts in front of stores. This may be seen in 

 small towns where no public sentiment in defense of street trees 

 has been aroused. Bruising and scraping of the bark by contact 

 with loaded wagons and other heavy vehicles produce the disabled, 

 ugly trees one sees along streets and in congested market places. 



GUARDS FOR STREET TREES 



The cheap and effective roll of heavy woven wire is often 

 seen in this country. The wooden boxing of erect slats is strong 

 but ugly. Iron rods secured by iron hoops are developed in 

 ornamental designs in many of the parks of European cities, 

 and oftenest in connection with an iron grill or circular openwork 

 plate that lies under the tree in paved streets that have had their 

 grade raised. The tree has its old level for the space of the 

 diameter of the grill, through which air and water are admitted 

 to the soil about the roots. It is common in more obscure streets 

 to use wicker guards or to make jackets of small upright poles 

 wired securely together around young trees. Old trees are often 

 merely set around with short stone pillars to keep vehicles away. 

 Grills and guards of iron around park trees are sometimes made 

 less conspicuous by a seat that encircles the tree protected. On 

 country roads in France thorn branches are tied on young trees 

 as guards. 



In all cases guards should be roomy enough to allow of 

 many years of growth before they could fit snugly. As these 

 protections are permanent necessities to exposed trees they 

 should be strongly made, and secured to the trees so that they 

 will not work loose. 



i;2o 



