CHAPTER XIII 
CITY FORESTRY AND SHADE TREES 
From earliest times the beauty of trees has been rec- 
ognized and so great has been their charm that in 
some countries they have been made objects of wor- 
ship. In Grecian mythology the wood nymphs and 
dryads played an important part while the oak worship 
of the Britons under the leadership of the Druid priests 
is an interesting fact concerning the religion of the 
early inhabitants of the British Isles. In such great 
esteem were these venerable oaks held that prisoners 
were often sacrificed to them during the religious 
ceremonies. 
The practical uses of trees, how they serve to shelter 
man, provide him books and furniture; how they are 
necessary to the huge transportation systems which 
distribute the foodstuff of the world have already been 
discussed. Trees serve still another purpose, since by 
their beauty and shade they make the villages, towns and 
cities of our country more attractive and livable for 
it is hard to estimate how much trees add to the charm 
and the permanent well being of the city dweller. As 
a result of this need of trees in the larger towns and 
cities there has arisen the profession of ‘‘city forester’’ 
or arborist, a man who tends the trees grown for the 
purpose of beautifying streets and parks, rather than 
for timber purposes. 
During the time this country was being settled little 
thought was given to comfort or beauty. In New Eng- 
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