137 
PARK AND CEMETERY. 
THE CARE OF TREES ON THE STREETS OF CITIES.*^ 
I assure you it affords me a great deal of pleasure to 
respond to a call to speak on the subject of the clothing 
that an all-wise and beneficent Creator has so bounti- 
fully bestowed upon the whole realm of nature; and I 
thank you for the opportunity given me to address you 
on this occasion on the subject and in behalf of Nature’s 
Giants, “The Trees.” 
Now, while the form of the question before us “The 
Care of Trees on the Streets of Cities,” is at the san e 
time both comprehensive and incomprehensive, inas- 
nr.uch as the variety and treatment of trees on the 
streets of cities differ on account of location and 
climatic conditions; hence, one prescribed form, while 
eminently successful in one city would be inapplicable 
and unsuccessful in another perhaps. I will, therefore, 
confine my remarks to the care of trees on the streets 
of our own city, Philadelphia. And when we consider 
the fact that on the city plan there are over 2,000 miles 
of streets, and over 1,000 miles open and occupied, we 
have sufficient food for thought in the trees of our own 
city withotit g' ing elsewhere. 
The subject of trees on our streets, in its many and 
varied aspects, is quite an extensive one, and, as the 
time for its consideration to-night is limited, it will be 
ne'essaryfor the conveyance of a general and practical 
idea, to condense its consideration as much as possible. 
1 will, therefore, proceed under the following headings: 
I. The suitable variety to plant. 2. The selection 
of the trees. 3. How to plant and when. 4. Pruning 
at the time of planting. 5. After care and attention 
and general remarks. 
In my opinion the most desirable varieties to plant 
in Philadeljahia are as follows: Platanus Orientalis, or 
Asiatic Plane; Acer Saccbarinum, or Sugar Maple; 
Acer Platanoides, or Norway Maple (Pyramidal type); 
Acer Dasycarpum, or Silver Maple; Liriodendron 
Tulipifera, or Tulip Poplar; Populus Balsamifera, or 
Balsam Poplar; Tilia Americana, or American Linden, 
and Ulmus Americana, or American Elm. 
There are others that are less desirable for reasons 
obvious, a few of which I will enumerate: Acer 
Pseudo-Platanus, or Sycamore Maple; Hlsculus Glabra, 
or Horse Chestnut; Ailantus Glandulosa, or Tree of 
Heaven; Catalpa Speciosa, or Indian Bean Tree; 
Salisburia Adiantifolia, or Gingko; Tilia Europaea, or 
European Linden, and some few others. 
Having decided on the variety to be planted, the 
next in order is the selection of the trees. This is a 
very important matter, for we must not lose sight of the 
fact that nurserymen very properly select locations 
most suitable for the growth of trees, where the soil, 
moisture, both subterranean and atmospheric, and other 
climatic conditions harmonize, and are in every way 
adapted to the luxuriant growth and development of the 
trees they eventually offer for sale, consequently in 
bringing trees from the nursery to our streets, where 
they have to combat contra-conditions for an existence; 
and it is imperative that the trees be healthy, vigorous, 
*An address delivered at Horticultural Hall, Philadelphia, Aug. i, 
i8q9, by John C. Lewis, City Forester and Landscape Gardener, 
ni '>ii ~ ~ tiniB ' - 
free from scars or wounds and insects in any form, a»d 
having an abundance of energetic fibrous roots with 
robust anil straight stems. Having made the selection 
both in quantity and quality, how and when to plant is 
next in order. 
Years back when the winter set in before the expira- 
tion of the autumn season, and the spring followed 
closely on the heels of winter, the spring season was 
preferable for planting, but now the seasons being 
erratic, and often vice versa to what they formerly 
were, I have found it profitable to change my tactics 
and plant in the fall season, with the exception of the 
Liquid-amber, Liriodendrom, and one or two other 
varieties that have succulent roots, for which the spring 
season is the best. We will now consider how to plant. 
The streets of Philadelphia contain, generally speak- 
ing and in greater or less degree, matter that is not only 
deleterious to the growth of the tree, but in many cases 
kills the tree outright. We find ashes, gravel, blue clay 
and other sterile soil, seasoned with brick bats, tin 
cans, antiquated shoes, etc., etc., the whole being 
impregnated with gas and other noxious odors, alt of 
which form a combination exactly opposite to what the 
tree has been accustomed to, and to whicl it must 
adapt itself or die. ' However, the several thousands of 
trees that have been jrlanted on' our sidewalks and other 
places under my direction bear evidence by their 
luxuriant growth and development that this difficulty 
can be overcome. On unpaved sidewalks the operation 
of planting is decidedly easier and less expensive than 
on paved sidewalks, for there is nothing but plain digging 
to be done, while on a granolithic pavement the crow- 
bar takes the place of the spade and the operation is 
slow and tedious. 
The rule I adopted four years ago, and which has 
proved successful, is this: On an unpaved sidewalk, 
where nothing obstructs, the hole for the tree should be 
dug three feet square and three feet deep and refilled 
with rich earth free from all deleterious substances. 
On a paved sidewalk, where the aperture is about two 
feet only, excavate till at least a lull size cartload of 
rich earth can be deposited in the hole made, the depth 
being considered rather more than the width in this case. 
In filling in the new soil about half a bushel of 
oyster shells should be mixed in, which will absorb and 
render harmless the gas which is poison to tree life, and 
which percolates through the sub-soil throughout the 
city from the numerous gas-mains, etc. Care must be 
taken to firm the earth as it is filled in, and in the per- 
formance of this operation the human foot is far pref- 
erable to the rammer, the elastic tread of the former 
produces a better firming effect, and excludes the ai'r 
far better than the latter. In planting the tree carefully 
observe the surface mark on the stem and avoid plant- 
ing too deep. My rule is to raise the tree one or one 
and a half inches above the mark of the nursery 
ground line, so that when the ground sinks to its normal 
condition, which it invariably will, however well firmed 
or rammed, the tree will then be at its proper depth. 
Before passing on it is necessary to add that an ordi- 
nance of councils requires trees, awning posts, etc., to be 
