Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 October 1901 — GAS KILLS FLUSHING TREES. [ARTICLE]

GAS KILLS FLUSHING TREES.

Out of the Mains and Affects the Tree Boot*. The people of Flushing, which has become famous for the beautiful shade trees which line its streets, have noticed recently that many big, sturdy trees have withered and become lifeless without apparent cause or injury. These trees were not confined to any one variety nor was any single locality alone affected. Horticultural experts examined the dead trees to see if they had’become affected by insects or rust, but nothing of the kind Mias found. Then Samuel B. Parsons, a veteran nurseryman, was asked to make an investigation. He reported; “The condition of the trees indicates that they, have been killed by illuminating gas which has escaped through the mains in the streets and has found its way to the roots, in several cases where the dirt has been dug up around the roots of the dead trees there has been a strong odor of gas. If A similar test was made with all the dead trees the same odor would be discovered. I do not know of anything else that would kill the trees.” Most of the trees were planted more than fifty years ago. At the present rate, however, Mr. Parsons says he fears that all of them will be killed within five or six years. The same cause he says has killed many of the trees planted in Manhattan. Another nurseryman said that there is no doubt about the gas killing the trees in Flushing. “Last spring,” said he, “we planted six trees in front of a residence here. All the trees budded, but just as they were about to put forth leaves one of them died. We replaced it, but when we dug the dead tree up there was a strong smell of gas. The second tree planted also died. Then we made a complaint to the gas company and found that not fifty feet away there was a leak in the gas main.” The managers of the Flushing gas plant declare that they are not to blame for the destruction of the trees. They say that there are dead trees on streets where there are no gas mains. The Flushing Association has promised to emplqy one of the best experts in the country to examine the trees.—New York Sun.