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Fig. 3.—American elms on a city street in midsummer. All these trees were planted at one time at uniform distances apart by the Commissioners of Washington, D. C.
The advent of such civilizing agencies as the telegraph, the telephone, the electric light, and the trolley car have added each its share toward the mutilation or destruction of the good trees that were in existence at the time of their coming. Faulty methods of pruning also have caused much disfigurement and ruin. (Figs. [5] and [21].) To this mutilation has been added the unnecessary destruction of many trees in centers of business ([fig. 6]), because they excluded a little daylight, or made a store less prominent, or were somewhat in the way of using the sidewalk for merchandise.
In spite of all these troubles tree planting has continued because people love trees, enjoy well-shaded streets, and are willing to make efforts to get them. The trees on well-shaded streets are not only pleasing, but also contribute toward the health of the community by transpiring moisture into the atmosphere and by producing a restful effect on eyes and nerves. Red, especially, is known to have an exciting effect on human beings, and where city streets are well -shaded it makes less prominent those colors that might otherwise prevail and offend.
Fig. 4.—Trees 18 years old on adjacent streets: A, Pin oaks; B, ginkgos; C, Norway maples. Note the differences in size.
Good shade is so appreciated that its presence adds a value to adjoining properties. Real-estate men recognize this factor and plant shade trees as early as practicable on land which they develop. That the beauty of a city is improved by good street trees is becoming recognized more and more and is finding expression in the desire of garden clubs, civic improvement associations, and boards of trade for information on this subject.