240 SHADE-TREES IN TOWNS AND CITIES 



1910, the "Tree Warden Act" has been extended in practi- 

 cally all its provisions, except that requiring the election of 

 a tree warden, to the cities of the commonwealth as well. 

 Thus the act of 1899 of Massachusetts and its amendments 

 secure the regulation of the planting and care of shade-trees 

 in practically every town and city of the State. 



The charters of the Massachusetts cities vary so widely 

 in the provisions for local government that it was not possi- 

 ble to secure uniformity in the election or appointment of 

 shade-tree officials or in the matter of administration. Con- 

 sequently, each city is free to appoint under its special char- 

 ter provision, some board or officer for the care of public 

 shade-trees. 



There are now 301 towns and 33 cities in Massachusetts. 

 Every town at its annual election elects a tree warden. 

 Every city but one has made provision of some kind for the 

 care of the shade-trees, either by the appointment of a spe- 

 cial officer, or by giving authority to an already existing 

 officer or board, as follows : 



Officer or Board Number of 



Cities 



Park Commission 8 



City Improvement Committee 1 



City Forester 3 



Tree and Forest Warden 1 



Tree Warden 1 



Forest Commissioner 1 



Board of Public Works 5 



Commission of Public Works 2 



Street Commissioner 2 



Board of Street Commissioners 2 



Superintendent of Streets 4 



Superintendent of Highways 1 



City Engineer 1 



