PARK AND CEMETERY, 
87 
WESTERN BOULEVARD TREES. 
Wiiat d true friead of the family is a stately majes- 
tic elm, as it gracefully rears its regal head near the 
old homestead; and what a decided influence for good 
is exerted upon succeeding generations which come 
within the shade of its pendulous branches. The inher- 
ent beauty of every landscape is largely derived from 
the trees which enter into its make-up. 
Trees are also very important factors in softening or 
accentuating the handiwork of the architect. Nothing 
is so restful to the eye or such a balm to the tired 
nerves as nature’s own mantle of green. These gigan- 
tic air Alters make the climate healthier, equalize the 
temperature, and by their beneficent effect bring heaven 
and earth into more perfect harmony. 
Formerly, the tree planter went out to some neigh- 
boring forest and selected a sap’ing of the desired 
variety and of a size he could handle. After digging, 
it was found to have only three or four main roots de- 
void of fibers. 
The reduc ion 
of the base of 
s u j) p 1 i e s to 
nearly a stump 
n e c e s sitated 
an e q u a 1,1 y 
heroic treat- 
ment of the 
trunk and 
branches. 
Should the 
tree survive 
this trying or- 
d e a 1 it is 
hardly to be 
expected that 
such material 
would ever 
produce a 
sy mmetr i c a 1 
effect. T h e 
training of a 
boulevard tree 
must begin in 
its infancy. 
One should collect seed from a good thrifty speci- 
men of the particular variety and habit desired, then 
sow in rich soil and transplant every third or fourth 
year, giving each time just enough space to form a 
straight trunk and a well shaped crown. 
This frequent transplanting forms a great mass of 
fibrous roots which are the mainstay of all trees des- 
tined to be moved, later on in life. The annual trim- 
ming is done with reference to obtaining a stocky trunk 
and a well developed crown, sufficiently high so as not 
to interfere with carriages or street lighting. The 
young tree, now some three or four inches in 
diameter, can be graduated from the “baumschule” as 
the Germans call it. When extra heavy, large sized 
trees are required they may take a post-graduate course 
into heavy soil, in order to obtain a transportable ball 
of earth. 
Upon entering business life in the city the young 
tree is confronted by many trials and adverse surround- 
ings. The soot and smoke stop up its lungs; tall build- 
ings shut out the air and sunlight; ashes and other 
refuse are expected to nourish the roots and the much 
needed rain speedily finds its way into the sewer. Is it 
a wonder that city trees do not always prove a perman- 
ent success ? Nevertheless, the nursery grown tree is 
better equipped for these difficulties than his brother 
from the forest. 
Fall and winter are 
the seasons when 
the trees are most 
doimant and can be 
best moved. 
A modern fad is 
the irregular treat- 
ment setting some 
trees against the 
curb and others as 
close as possible to 
the sidewalk and at 
various intervals 
omitting them alto- 
gether. Plant one 
variety only, in a 
line, and at least 
t h i r t y ■ fi V e feet 
apart. A straight 
avenue is jdainly 
the work of man, so 
why not have the 
trees conform to it. 
\Vhat can be 
grander than a vista 
through an overarching boulevard of stately trees. I 
use the term boulevard, as the French do, and not for a 
narrow street regularly swept and sprinkled by a Park 
Board. 
It is not safe for us in the west to blindly follow all 
the recommendations of the eastern specialists. The 
Brooklyn Tree 
Planting Society 
gives first choice to 
the pistillate form 
of the Aiianthus for 
an avenue tree and 
in Paris the same 
preference is shown. 
With us it has not 
proved a success as 
it often winter-kills. 
In the severe season 
of a year ago, 
ninety five per cent, 
of all the Tulip trees 
perisl ed. 
Oaks grow 
slowly and are so 
riddled by borers 
that they must be 
discarded. The 
various members of 
the Birch family are 
all very beautiful, 
but after removing 
the lower branches, 
as is necessary on a driveway, their narrow pointed tops 
have an unnatural appearance. The American Syca- 
more thrives better here than its more aristocratic 
relative from Asia, but both are erratic and unreliable. 
The Horse Chestnut does not take kindly to our climate 
