PLANTING AND CARE OF TREES 75 



CHAPTER IV 

 TREE PLANTmG IN TOWNS AND CITIES. 



TREES IN RELATION TO CITY LIFE. 



When we think of the open country we are reminded of the cool 

 and shady roads, although some country roads are not so alluring 

 as they ought to be. The thought is comforting. On the other 

 hand, when we think of conditions in the city, the hot and dazzling 

 pavements present themselves vividly to our memory. The 

 thought is anything hut comforting. Blessed is the city that is 

 well supplied with trees. An occasional city has been so well 

 blessed in this respect that it has become famous the country over, 

 and such a city is often designated as the Forest City, the Elm 

 City, or the City of Parks. 



The attractiveness of a city depends largely upon its trees. A 

 city without trees cannot be attractive, and the more trees within 

 the city limits, the more attractive is the city likely to be. Most 

 cities are anxious to attract visitors and permanent settlers, and 

 the success of cities in this direction will depend largely upon their 

 supply of trees. Trees, therfore, by making a city more attractive, 

 tend to increase the value of real estate. The value of trees to any 

 particular property is manifested by comparing the selling price of 

 property with and without trees. In some cases a lot with two or 

 three trees along its front boundary will sell at a price fifty per cent, 

 higher than a similar adjacent lot without trees. 



The real value of shade trees to abutting property has also been 

 shown by court decisions, although in the past judges have usually 

 underestimated their true worth. The following is an extract 

 from an editorial in the Newark Evening News, under date of July 

 20, 1911: — 



"The Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court has 

 confirmed a judgment of the lower court, fixing what may be 

 called a good round value on trees in the city. 



