wells: street trees in new York city 
85 
tree, Ginkgo biloba, is also good although in its juvenile stages it is apt to 
be awkward. In the next zone of tolerance the Pin Oak, Quercus 
palustris, and the Norway Maple, Acer platanoides , appear to be the 
most successful. 
In districts where the growing conditions are less severe a few other 
kinds of trees are doing well: The Red Oak, Q,uercus rubra , (I have a very 
strong impression that if this tree were tested in deep city conditions it 
would be found to be as successful or perhaps more successful than the 
Pin Oak), various small leaved European Lindens; the Honeylocust, 
Gleditsia triacanthos, and the Sweet Gum, Liquidamber styraciflua. 
Based on my observations there are seven points which I should like 
to stress about city street trees. 
1 . That legal complexities should be cleared away so that unrestricted 
authority and responsibility rests with the Commissioner of Parks or 
some other responsible agency. 
2. That adequate funds be provided to properly and intelligently 
plan a street tree program. 
3. That the locations of trees be carefully considered. The trunk of 
the tree should be at least three feet from the face of the curb. Loca¬ 
tions near the property lines are obviously preferable to curb-side loca¬ 
tions. Close spacings mean interlocking crowns, heavy shade, and 
increased maintenance. Wide spacings of 40 feet or more are generally 
preferable. Four trees to the block, two on each side of the street, will 
produce the effect of a tree lined avenue. 
4 . That the trees selected shall be of types which are adaptable to the 
prevailing soils and exposures and the aesthetic effects to be attained; 
and that the quality of the trees shall be the finest of their respective 
kinds. 
5. That provisions be made in the matter of ample soils and fertilizers, 
drainage, guying and guarding of young trees, and paving blocks or iron 
gratings to prevent the compacting of surface soils. 
6 . That a maintenance equipment be provided which is capable of 
practicing the best known principles of forestry service. 
7. That smoke abatement ordinances be enforced, to control the proper 
combustion of fuel and rid our city atmosphere of the poisonous gases 
and soot which now pollutes it. 
