STREET TREES. 5 
f 
Good shade is so appreciated that its presence adds a value to 
adjoining properties. Real-estate men recognize this factor and plant 
shade trees as early as practicable on land which they develop. 
That the beauty of a city is improved by good street trees 1s be- 
coming recognized more and more and is finding expression in the 
desire of garden clubs, civic improvement associations, and boards 
of trade for information on this subject. 
Success in planting street trees can be attained only by planning 
and controlling the planting as a whole, by selecting the most suit- 
able varieties, by se- 
curing trees in the best 
condition and planting 
them properly, and by 
giving the necessary 
later care. 
While towns were 
small, conditions for 
tree growth favorable, 
and woodlands plenty, 
so that native trees 
were easily obtained 
and started, the prac- 
tice of each house- 
holder planting his 
own trees as he saw 
fit gave good results. 
As towns became 
larger and impervious 
pavements took the 
place of earth roads, 
the conditions for tree 
erowth became more 2 ae 
severe and the results Fic. 5.—A tree mutilated by linemen. An otherwise beautiful red 
oakin Louisville, Ky., asit appeared in midsummer. 
from the individual 
planting of trees less uniform. In large cities the conditions to be 
met are so extreme that it has become practically impossible for the 
average householder to grow street trees successfully, or to do so only 
at excessive cost. Then, too, alineman in afew minutes often undoes 
what the individual has achieved with care and years of patient 
waiting (see fig. 5). The trees and the lines are both needed by the 
public, but when provided by individual initiative at private expense, 
but trimmed for the benefit of electric lines by employees of corpora- 
tions intent on maintaining service at the least cost, the trees suffer 
unduly. 
