CHAPTER IV. 
SELECTION OF TREES FOR PLANTING 
I T is of basic importance in the planning of shade tree 
planting that due care and attention be given to 
the selection of the species best suited for the particular 
location. Choosing the right variety is the starting point 
of shade tree success. A tree unsuited to the climate, soil, 
or other local conditions of growth can not be expected to 
produce the desired results. All other rules may be care¬ 
fully observed and the most painstaking and intelligent 
attention may be given to planting, pruning and general 
care, but if an unsuitable variety is selected, the results 
will be disappointing. 
Choice of proper varieties is not difficult. The factors 
that determine the selection are adaptability to the 
climate and to the soil of the locality, suitability of the 
size, form and denseness of shade to the streets upon 
which they are to be planted, and ability to withstand 
gases, smoke and other untoward city conditions. 
To secure hardiness, trees should be used that are known 
to thrive locally or under similar conditions. They should 
also be selected with regard to the soil where they are to 
be grown. The soil of streets is often far from ideal and 
as it is impossible to modify more than a small part of 
the future feeding ground, trees must be selected to suit 
the soil. Another requirement is hardiness, ability to 
overcome handicaps, combined with adaptability to 
particular environment. In cold climates this factor 
includes strength to withstand snow, ice and freezing, 
and in all climates it involves power of resistance to wind, 
mechanical injuries, insects and diseases. Rapidity of 
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