4 
PLANTING HOME GROUNDS 
better for the development of the tree than cramping the 
roots in a narrow space between the street and sidewalk. 
Such an arrangement will not make the lawn appear 
foreshortened nor detract from its appearance or spa¬ 
ciousness providing the trees are placed close to the walk. 
To properly locate shade trees on one’s premises re¬ 
quires considerable thought and study. One must keep 
in mind that when he plants a tree he is making an im¬ 
provement which is to last for years, longer probably than 
he will live. The result of hastily and carelessly locating 
shade trees may be keenly regretted in the years to come. 
In the case of an ordinary City building site shade 
trees which are set inside the property should generally 
be planted at the side of the house or somewhat in the 
background. A shade tree should never be planted in the 
geometrical center of the lawn, for such an arrangement 
is unnatural and reduces the appearance of expanse of 
the lawn. Shade trees should not be arranged in straight 
rows inside the property or along the property line. Such 
an arrangement is unnatural and presents an incongruous 
appearance. 
A shade tree should never be located in such a posi¬ 
tion that the house will appear as if it had been divided 
into two equal parts by the planting of a shade tree 
squarely before the middle of it. 
The general tendency is to plant shade trees too close 
together. In the case of Elm, Hackberry, and Locust, 40 
feet apart is the proper distance. Pin Oak may be planted 
as close as 35 feet. Many persons plant shade trees as 
close as 25 feet apart, with the expectation of removing 
every other tree when they commence to crowd. In prin¬ 
ciple this plan is not bad practice, providing one has the 
moral courage to remove the surplus trees at the right 
time. 
Persons who wish to have a blue grass lawn should 
