SHADE TREES FOR NORTH CAROLINA. 



By W. W. Ashe. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Shade trees should be regarded as a necessity on the streets of the 

 cities and towns of North Carolina. They lessen the heat and glare of the 

 long hot summer days without checking the cooling southern breezes, and 

 filter from the air a large portion of the dust which rises from the streets 

 and roads. Nor must their aesthetic qualities be overlooked. Towns 

 fortunate enough to have shaded parks and streets bordered with neatly 

 kept rows of trees possess an intrinsic asset. Many towns in North Caro- 

 lina derive a large portion of their income from summer or winter visitors 

 and the street tree contributes not a little to producing the conditions 

 most agreeable to these guests. 



It is very important to consider, in making a choice of a shade tree, 

 its adaptability to the conditions and fitness for the purposes for which it 

 is to be used. It is necessary to choose only those species which are 

 suited to the local soil and moisture conditions. This does not by any 

 means restrict the choice to local species. Some of the most desirable 

 species are introduced either from other parts of the United States or 

 from other countries. But, until a tree has been thoroughly tested by 

 trial and its capacities and limitations locally determined, it is preferable 

 to avoid its use as a street tree. The best success can generally be ob- 

 tained from some of the well known native species and, on account of 

 their great number, it is exceptional when most satisfactory results cannot 

 be secured by their use. Only a few species thrive under the artificial 

 conditions which exist on paved streets. In most species such situations 

 are too unnatural, though they may be healthy trees and well suited for 

 unpaved streets as well as for roads and parks. In many localities the 

 existence of insect pests or destructive diseases prevent the use of what 

 might otherwise prove most desirable trees. Even when a species may 

 be able to grow on a paved street, other conditions may determine its 

 unfitness. For example, only forms with narrow crowns or ascending 

 branches, or small species, are adapted to narrow streets or when the 

 buildings impinge closely upon the planting line. 



