REPORT OF THE :
TREE PLANTING COMMITTEE

OF

The Civic Improvement League
of Saint Louis

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Office
712 Security Building

Gift
The Society

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St. Louis, NovEMBER, 1905.
TO THE: EXECU LIVE: BOARD:

Your Committee, appointed to encourage the planting, culture,
and preservation of shade trees in St. Louis, issues this pamphlet in
connection with the $500.00 Tree Planting Prize Contest which has
been inaugurated by the League among the school children of the
city. We are firmly convinced that what is for the permanent good
of the city can and should be introduced into the public schools. We
hope that the information herein contained may assist the pupils and
the citizens in their efforts to add to the comfort, beauty, and attrac-
tiveness of our streets and homes. We believe the planting of a
tree is a true expression of altruism. It not only benefits the present
generation but adds to the comfort and pleasure of generations yet
to come.

If the efforts of your committee and the liberalty of a patriotic
citizen in supplying the funds for the work can be supplemented by
the establishment of the office of City Forester, as provided for by
the bill recently introduced into the Municipal Assembly through our
efforts, the beauty and comfort of our well paved streets will be
greatly improved. Respectfully submitted,

TREE PLANTING COMMITTEE,

Mayo FESLER, Secretary. Dr. SELDEN SPENCER, Chairman.

CHARLES REBSTOCK,
W. J. STEVENS,
H. C. Irisu,
Leo Cozi Nitze.
W. Scott HANCOCK,
H. N. SPENCER, JR.

“FS A. WEBER,

-G. M. HoLrerty,

@ree Planting in St. Lewis
RECOMMENDATIONS

OF THE

TREE PLANTING COMMITTEES

OF
The Civic Improvement League
and the
Englemann Botanical Club

November, 1905

To the St. Louis Public:

The Tree Planting committees of the Civic Improvement League
and the Englemann Botanical Club, desirous of arousing a greater
interest in the planting of shade trees in St. Louis, offer the follow-
ing suggestions relative to the planting, culture, and protection of
trees, in the hope that they will be of assistance to our citizens in
their efforts to improve and beautify the streets of this city.

= wy PLANT TREES:

1. They increase the value of surrounding property.

2. They protect the pavement from the heat of the sun.

3. They add beauty and comfort to the city streets.

4. They cool the air in summer and radiate warmth in winter.

6. They purify the air—the leaves inhale carbonic acid gas
and exhale oxygen. , "

%. They aid in counteracting the unnatural conditions of city
life.

II. WHAT TREES TO PLANT:

Trees for general street planting should be nursery grown.
Those transplanted from the forest have a poorly developed root

aTT.

system and hence do not grow so readily or so symmetrically.
Nursery grown trees have well developed and compact root sys-
tems and symmetrical tops, and they are accustomed to trans-
planting. Trees grown in the vicinity of St. Louis will be
found better adapted to the local conditions.

KIND OF TREES TO PLANT:

Only a few kinds of trees will grow in this city owing to the
gas, dust, smoke, and pavement. In general only smooth leaved
trees should be planted. ‘The American Elm, one of the most
eraceful of shade trees, is so uncertain of growth that it is a
waste of money to plant it except in the extreme outlying dis-
tricts.

The following list contains the kinds of trees which the Com-
mittees recommend as the most durable and satisfactory :

1. Maple, Silver Leaved or Soft (Acer dasycarpum.) A
hardy, rapid growing tree, of large size, valuable for producing
a quick shade. An excellent tree for street planting and largely
used in resident sections west of Grand avenue.

2. Maple, Sugar or Hard, (Acer saccharinum.) A very
popular American tree, justly ranked among the best, both for
lawn and street, because of its stately form and fine foliage.
Since this tree is of slow growth it should be alternated with
Carolina Poplars or European Cottonwood, which will produce
shade until the Maple has had an opportunity to develop, after

which the Poplar should be cut out. Recommended for subdi-
visions where no previous planting has been done.

3. Sycamore, or Plane (Platanus.) <A lofty, wide spreading
tree, large leaved, very ornamental, and entirely hardy. The
most valuable tree for the more densely populated sections of
our large cities—especially adapted to resist the ill effects of
coal smoke and gases.

4. Elm, American (Ulmus americana.) The noble, droop-
ing, spreading tree of our woods, one of the most dignified
and stately street trees in America; but in St. Louis the Elm
suffers not only from the smoke and gas but from various dis-
eases and insects.

IV.

5. Birch, White (Betula alba.) A small beautiful and grace-
ful tree with tremulous shining leaves and chalk-white bark.
This tree requires a rather moist soil and is recommended only
for the lower outlying sections of the city. It is a tree ex-
tremely difficult to transplant, especially in any of the larger
sizes. Only the lighter grades should be planted, and these in
districts where the tree will have plenty of time to develop. An
avenue of American Birches with their graceful bending
branches and white trunks produces a most pleasing effect.

6. Poplar, Carolina (Populus monilifera.) A vigorous,
healthy, native tree of rapid growth, pyramidal in form, with
large glassy leaves. Unfortunately this tree is not long lived,
but is valuable as a filler between sugar maples or other slow
growing trees where it is expected to furnish only a temporary
shade.

%. Poplar, Lombardy (Populus nigra pyramidalis.) A tall
columnar tree which grows to a great height. Adapted to nar-
row streets and streets where houses are near the building line.
Car be kept from growing too tall by careful annual pruning.

8. European Cottonwood (Populus nigra; often called Pop-
ulus graeca or Grecian Poplar.) A tree with almost the iden-
tical foliage of the Lombardy Poplar, but with a more spreading
habit than the Carolina Poplar and somewhat longer lived. An
avenue of Grecian poplars, carefully trimmed, makes a very sat-
isfactory shade for a number of years. ;

9. Pin Oak (Quercus palustris.) A desirable tree for street
and boulevard planting. A deep rooted and permanent tree
when once established; practically free from insect pests. Re-
quires careful planting, the best of attention for the first year,
and severe pruning thereafter. When planting Oaks, they
should be alternated with some faster growing tree, perferably
Poplars.

UNIFORMITY IN TREES:

The beauty of a tree avenue depends much upon the planting
of a uniform species the full length, or at least for several
blocks of the avenue. ‘Trees of different shapes and sizes give
to a street a ragged, irregular, and unsightly appearance. The

VI.

VIL

Committee urge the residents along any given street to meet
and agree upon one kind of tree to be planted the full length
of that street. Uniformity, without rigidity, in tree planting,
will add much to the beauty and comfort of the street and home,
and will greatly enhance the value of abutting property.

WHEN TO PLANT:

Trees may be planted in the spring or fall—preferably in the
spring before the buds open. In this climate the best season for
planting is found to be from the latter part of March until the
middle of May, when the ground is fairly dry and capable of
being easily worked.

DISTANCE TO PLANT:

The space which should be left between trees when planted
varies somewhat with the different kinds. In general, trees
should be planted about twenty-five feet apart. ‘The following
suggestions, however, are made relative to the distance apart
for the different kinds of trees discussed in this report:

1. Silver or soft maple—25 to 30 feet apart.

2. Sugar or hard maple (alternated with poplars)—15 to 18
feet apart.

3. Sycamore—25 to 30 feet apart.

4. American elm (alternated with poplars)—15 to 18 feet
apart.

5. White birch—16 to 20 feet apart.

Carolina poplar—18 to 20 feet apart.

European Cottonwood—18 to 20 feet apart.

Lombardy poplar—16 to 18 feet apart.

Pin Oak (alternated with Poplar)—15 to 18 feet apart.

OO CO -F DH

PROTECTION OF TREES:

1. Tree guards. Every tree at the time of planting should
be enclosed to the height of six feet in a suitable tree guard. A
screen made of galvanized wire netting of a small mesh is an
inexpensive but entirely effective device for protecting the tree
against horses and also against many insects. Unless these pre-
cautions are taken to protect the tree it is hardly worth while
to plant.

2. Insects and Fungi. ‘The protection of trees from insects
and fungi requires constant care and watchfulness. The first
sign of danger should be followed by spraying with some rec-
mended tree wash or solution, as follows:

(a) For the trunk: ™% lb. whale oil soap in one gallon of
water.

(b) For leaves being eaten by insects: 1% lb. Paris green
or Arsenate of lead in fifty gallons of water.

(c) For fungi: 6 lbs. Copper sulphate and 4 Ibs. lime in
fifty gallons water.

VIII. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Further information regarding the planting of trees will be
gladly furnished by the Committee of the League or by the Sec-
retary of the Engelmann Botanical Club. Address Mr. S. H.
Thompson, Secretary Engelmann Botanical Club, Shaw’s Gar-
den, or Mr. Mayo Fesler, Secretary Civic Improvement League,
712 Security Building, St. Louis.

The City Forester Ordinance

(Copy of an Ordinance, creating the office of City Forester, recently introduced
in the Municipal Assembly of St. Louis at the request of the Civic
Improvement League. )

An ordinance creating the office of City Forester, defining the
qualification and duties of City Forester, fixing his salary, and au-
thorizing and providing for the appointment of an assistant and
other subordinates in the City Forester’s office, fixing their salaries,
defining their duties, regulating the planting and preservation of
trees in streets, alleys, and public highways, creating certain mis-
demeanors for violating the provisions hereof and prescribing penal-
ties therefor.

Be it ordained by the Municipal Assembly of the City of St.
Louis, as follows:

Section I. There is hereby created in the Street Department
the office of City Forester.

Section II. The City Forester shall be appointed by the Mayor
and approved by the Council. He shall hold office for four years
and until his successor shall have been duly appointed and qualified.
No appointment shall take effect under this ordinance until the first
Tuesday in April, 1906, and the term of office of the first appointee
as City Forester shall terminate the third Tuesday in April, 1907.

Section III. The City Forester shall be a man skilled and
learned in the science of Forestry and shall have had not less than
three years experience as a practical forester.

Section IV. It shall be the duty of the City Forester to super-
intend, regulate, and encourage the planting, culture, and preserva-
tion of shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery in the streets,
alleys and public highways of said city ; to direct the time and method
of trimming of said trees and shrubbery; to advise the property
Owners regarding the kind of trees and shrubbery and method of
planting deemed desirable on particular streets; and to take such
measures as may be deemed necessary for the control of dangerously
injurious insect pests and plant diseases which may affect trees

and shrubbery on the streets, alleys, and public highways of said
city. He shall act in harmony with and under the direction of the
Street Commissioner in relation to the planting, culture, removal
and preservation of shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery in
the streets, alleys, and public highways of said city. He shall report
to the City Attorney all cases which come to his knowledge of viola-
tions of ordinances respecting said trees and shrubbery; and shall,
when requested by the City Attorney, assist in the prosecution of
persons charged with the violation of such ordinances.

Section V. The City Forester shall keep a record of all the
transactions of his office and shall, whenever the Street Commissioner
may require, make a full and detailed report concerning said trans-
actions.

Section VI. The salary of the City Forester shall be at the rate
of twenty-four hundred dollars per year, payable in monthly install-
ments, in full for all services. He shall give bond in the sum of five
thousand dollars for the faithful performance of his duties, with not
less than two good sureties, holders of unencumbered real estate in
the city or any surety company, which bond shall be approved by
the Mayor and Council.

Section VII. The Street Commissioner may, by and with the
approval of the Mayor, appoint the following subordinates who
shall hold their respective positions during the pleasure of the Street
Commissioner and who shall aid in carrying out the duties herein
specified and such other duties as pertain to their respective positions,
and such as may be required of them by the Street Commissioner ;
and they shall each receive the following salaries and give the follow-
ing bonds, to-wit:

Assistant City Forester, who shall have had at least one year’s
practical experience as a Forester and shall receive a salary of
$125.00 per month, and shall give a good and sufficient bond, to be
approved by the Mayor and Council, in the sum of $2,500.00; one
clerk, who shall receive a salary of $75.00 per month; and three day
inspectors, who shall receive $2.50 per day. In addition to the offi-
cers herein specified, the Street Commissioner shall, by and with the
approval of the Mayor, employ such teams, carts, and day laborers -
as may be required for the sufficient working of his department.

Section VIII. It shall be lawful for the property holders on
any three or more contiguous blocks of any street, or a majority of
them, to select by petition any variety of shade tree, approved by
the City Forester, which shall thereafter be the only kind of shade
tree to be planted on said blocks.

Srecrion IX. If the property holders along any given street,
upon due notice so to do from the City Forester shall fail to make
the selection provided for by Section Eight hereof, within six
months next after notice has been given, then it shall be the duty
of the City Forester to select a variety of shade tree for such street
or blocks of such street which shall thereafter be the only variety
which shall be planted on said street or blocks of said street.

Section X. Whoever shall, without written permit from the
City Forester, plant or set, pull up, cut down, burn, destroy, remove,
trim, or in any manner injure any tree or shrub standing in any
street, alley, or public highway, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Section XI. Whoever shall, without written permit from the
City Forester, hereafter place any stone, cement, or other substance
about any tree in any street, alley, or public highway which shall im-
pede the free entrance of water and air to the roots of such tree,
without leaving an open space of ground about the trunk of said
tree of not less than four square feet, shall be guilty of a misde-
meanor ; provided that this section shall not apply to work done by
the city or under contract with the city on any street, alley, or public
highway.

Section XII. Whoever shall prevent, delay, or in any way in-
terfere with the City Forester or his employes in the planting, trim-
ming, spraying or removal of any tree in any street, alley, or public
highway, or in the removal of any stone, cement, or other material
from about the trunk of any such tree, shall be guilty of a misde-
meanor.

Section XIII. Whoever shall violate any of the provisions of
this ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon
conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than five nor more than fifty
dollars: and it is hereby made the special duty of the police to en-

force the provisions of sections 10, 11, and 12 of this ordinance;
and, with that in view the Board of Police Commissioners are re-
quested to deliver a copy of this ordinance to every police officer in
their department.

Section XIV. The provisions of this ordinance shall not apply
to trees or shrubbery planted on private property.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

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