ILLINOIS AUDUBON BULLETIN is 
This tree is doomed. Root 
cutting and placement of 
concrete next to its base de- 
termined its fate. 
The following year, the power 
company, whose lines are running 
through the tree, gives the tree a 
crew cut (literally). The tree now 
consists of three stubs emanating 
from the trunk. 
A year later the telephone com- 
pany may decide to place its lines 
underground. The tree’s roots are 
severed on the street side where 
the lines are laid. Extensive decay 
now has a stronghold on this once 
stately tree. 
The preservationist finally re- 
ceives a ‘‘payment”’ for his zealous 
efforts to ‘save the tree.’’ A July 
storm hits town and the boulevard 
elm takes up residence in his living 
room — by way of the roof. The 
final result is a citizen with a new 
insight (inside?) on boulevard trees. 
Surprisingly, more trees are lost 
each year in Minnesota to various 
construction projects than to all 
diseases combined. This includes 
the much-feared Dutch elm and 
oak wilt diseases. The net result of 
many communities’ efforts to im- 
prove their buildings and streets is 
a tragic loss of quality green-buffer 
zones. 
A treeless avenue, surrounded 
by old sun-bleached homes, is a 
perfect recipe for instant slum. The 
responsibility of the urban forester 
is to deal with such problems and 
to come up with viable solutions. 
Economic Problems 
No matter how progressive or 
ideal a shade tree program may be, 
there are still the problems of 
‘‘economic feasibility’’ and 
‘‘oriorities.’’ Acquiring, planting, 
and maintaining shade trees is a 
costly, long-term project. How- 
ever, the benefits of such a pro- 
gram are not felt for many years. 
Most phases of a tree program 
require extensive manual labor. 
Because of the high cost of labor 
and materials, monies are fre- 
quently channeled into a town’s 
immediate and essential goods and 
services. It is very easy for a city to 
direct its priorities to such tangible 
