THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
613 
It is unnecessary to mention the course of sub¬ 
sequent events further than to congratulate the asso¬ 
ciation on the vigorous way in which the local and 
general committees have contributed time and energy 
to the arrangement of the many details incident to 
the management of a convention of this magnitude. 
These gentlemen have worked hard and deserve our 
hearty thanks. 
DENVER A TREE PLANTING CITY 
- <• 
Distribution of Shade Trees 
A free distribution of shade trees by the city administra¬ 
tion has become an annual custom in Denver. Nearly 
twenty-thousand young trees were given to the people this 
spring and they are all planted, says a correspondent 
writing from Denver. 
The custom has been in vogue here for five years 
and each year it is becoming more popular and the 
demand for trees is in¬ 
creasing. This season the 
requests for trees exceeded 
the supply by several 
thousand, but as the limit 
of the sum available for 
the purchase of trees is 
made by the city council, 
the appropriation could not 
be exceeded. The sum 
appropriated was >$5,000 
and the average price paid 
per tree was 29 cents. 
When the city of Denver 
was laid out fifty-one years 
ago there was not a tree 
on the site. The early 
settlers began planting 
cottonwood trees, believing this was the only kind that 
would thrive in Colorado soil. In after years experi- 
ments were made with other species. Today the streets in 
the older sections of the city are lined with tall, wide-spread¬ 
ing shade trees and the stranger is astonished when informed 
that this prolific growth of shade trees has taken place 
within a generation. 
Denver covers sixty square miles of territory and most of 
the young trees are being set out in the newer sections. 
Maple, elm and poplar are the kinds that are distributed by 
the city. The elm, however, seems to be in greater demand 
as this species apparently thrives the best in this climate. 
The maple grows faster and is the better shade producer, 
but it is not so hardy as the elm. 
Nursery, Mo., May 17, 1910 
Ed. National Nurseryman: 
I am enclosing, herewith, copy of the program prepared 
by our ^Entertainment Committee. All arrangements for 
the Entertainment have been made, and the Western 
Nurserymen are looking forward to a good representation 
at the Convention. 
Be sure to announce in your next publication under 
Railroad Arrangements that “Parties going to the Con- 
The method of distribution is upon orders signed by the 
mayor or a member of the council. The limit is three trees 
to one person. Ten days previous to the date set for giving 
out the trees, the public is informed through the daily 
newspapers of the rules governing the distribution. Tree 
stations are established in various parts of the city. The 
young trees are set in the ground nursery fashion, 
and to avoid a crush, 
fences are erected. One 
entrance to the enclosure 
and two exits are provided 
and applicants are required 
to pass along in single file. 
As each order is presented, 
three nursery trees are 
handed out, the applicant 
being permitted to choose 
from the kinds on hand. 
The line is kept moving 
rapidly and the trees are 
all distributed in one day. 
The Forestry depart¬ 
ment of the city has kept 
careful check on the growth 
of the trees planted since 
the first “Tree Day’’ was established. Knowledge on the 
subject of tree planting is disseminated among the people. 
Men from this department tour the city while the 
young trees are being planted and give advice and in¬ 
structions when needed. Last year 82 per cent of the 
trees planted lived and are thriving. It is expected 
that the percentage will be increased this year as the 
people are becoming educated in tree planting and 
culture. 
Letters of inquiry in large numbers from other cities are 
coming into the office of the mayor asking for details of the 
plan. The system is a success in every way and in a few 
years every section of the city will be amply supplied with 
shade trees. 
vention’’ should purchase tickets to Colorado Springs, as 
the fare is the same and if they desire to take in this trip 
it will not cost them any more and they do not have to go 
to Colorado Springs to validate the tickets. This can be 
done in Denver. 
I will be on hand early Monday morning, June 6th, to 
meet you at Union Station. 
Yours truly, 
F. A. Weber, Chairman of Ent. Committee. 
Delivering Free Trees in Denver, Colorado, on Tree Day 
