TREES IN THE LIFE OF A CITY 5 



things that impress a stranger as to whether a city is or is 

 not a good place to live in. Real-estate people are aware 

 that beautiful trees will increase the value of their property 

 and draw men and money to a city. Consequently we find 

 that in the majority of cases of modern land development, 

 trees are set out as soon as the streets are opened. It is 

 unfortunate at such times that the choice of species is not 

 always wise ; but the planting serves to illustrate the fact 

 that the trees are recognized as an asset to the property. 



The first cost of planting shade-trees is very small com- 

 pared with the other assessments for street improvements. 

 The cost of planting trees properly is a very small percent- 

 age of the cost of the improvement of the roadway proper. 

 While the use of the road will cause it to deteriorate and it 

 will need repairs, the trees, when properly cared for, will 

 thrive and grow. Their first cost of setting out will be 

 insignificant when compared with their increased value a 

 number of years after planting. 



Finally, the uplifting influence of an environment of 

 trees is such as to make people not only happier but better. 

 A modem progressive city possesses three assets — its indus- 

 tries, its commerce, and its appearance, the outward and vis- 

 ible evidence of character. "Show me your town or city 

 and I will tell you the kind and quality of your citizens," 

 is a rule of universal application invariably correct. The 

 morale of a people is unquestionably in exact keeping with 

 the outward and manifest appearance of the municipal 

 home. Few things contribute more to the cultivation of 

 local pride and civic patriotism than beautiful trees in the 

 parks and in the streets. 



