14 



BULLETIlSr 816, V. S. DEPAHTMEISTT OF AGEICULTURE. 



the street for use as lawns and gardens the conditions would be made 

 more livable, opportunity would be offered for widening the public 

 way without prohibitive expense if traffic or business demanded it, 

 and the growing of street trees would cease to be a serious problem. 



PI6342HP 



Fig. 13.— a street with too little room from houseline to houseline. Note the more attractive appear- 

 ance of the side with trees. Norway and silver maples in Frederick, Md., in midsummer. 



KINDS OF TREES SUITABLE FOR CITY STREETS. 



QUALITIES NECESSARY. 



Compared with the whole number of trees used for ornamental 

 planting, the number of kinds suitable for street planting is very 

 small. For use under city conditions a tree must be adapted to the 

 climate and to the soil upon which it is to be grown. It must have 

 healthy foliage that withstands dust and smoke and a root system 

 not easily affected by unusual soil conditions, by restricted feeding 

 areas, or by root pruning when street improvements are made. The 

 top should be in proportion to the width of the street upon which it 

 is used, and it should be rather high headed or easily trained to that 

 form and of open growth without being too spreading or sprawling. 



Of minor consideration is the character of the foliage masses, 

 whether dark or light, heavy and somber or open, and airy, and also 

 whether they have vivid autumn colorings. Only in the most south- 

 ern parts of the country and in western California should evergreen 

 trees be considered for street planting, and then only the broad- 

 leaved evergreens, such as magnolias and live oaks. In the North 

 the lack of sunshine during the short cloudy days of winter makes it 

 desirable to admit all the light possible. Even in the South the 

 question of sunshine should be considered when selecting varieties. 



