A CITY'S NEED OF TREES 321 



over the United States municipal governments are beginning to 

 realize what European cities have long known, that trees are of 

 great value to a city. They are planting trees and protecting them. 

 Many cities have appointed city foresters, who care for the trees 

 in the parks and along the streets. Many municipalities plant 

 trees and tax the property owners who receive benefit thereby, for 

 trees and shrubs have an ornamental value that is expressed in 

 dollars and cents. Perhaps the most hopeful sign is that people 

 everjrwhere are beginning to realize the value of our trees and the 

 need for their protection and conservation. Arbor Day is set 

 aside for tree planting and to teach young people some of the 

 reasons why trees are of value to mankind. Let us all try to make 

 Arbor Day what it should be, a day for caring for and planting 

 trees ; thus we may assist to preserve this most important heritage 

 of our nation. 



Summary. — Trees regulate water supplies by holding water 

 in the soil where they are growing. Wherever man has deforested, 

 there come floods and erosion, with a loss of organic soil. In addi- 

 tion, forests are refuges for birds and other animals and make 

 wonderful outdoor playgrounds. Wood, both for fuel and for 

 lumber and for other forest products, must be conserved by regulated 

 cutting and reforestation. Waste in the forest and at the mill 

 must be stopped or we shall lose this most precious of our national 

 resources. Losses by fire, as well as those caused by insect enemies, 

 are very great. Our one hope lies in educating people to realize 

 the value of forests. Forestry as a profession should be chosen by 

 more boys and all of us should do our share to protect this great 

 asset, the forest. 



Problem Questions 



1. What effect do forests have on water supplies? On soil making? On 

 erosion? Can you determine the effect that forests have on your own com- 

 munity ? 



2. Of what direct economic values are the forests? 



3. List the various uses of wood in your community. 



4. What is the cause of the greatest loss in forests ? To what extent does 

 smoking cause forest fires? How might we avoid this loss? 



5. How may parasitic enemies harm the forest ? How can we control some 

 of these pests? 



