Chapter XII: Highway Esthetics (2)

_Rhododendrons._--In the Eastern states as far north as Massachusetts these ornamental plants are very popular. As a road shrub it could hardly be used on account of the thieving propensities of some people.

_Roses._--The hardy flowering roses in massed groups will give color and interest to the roadside. The sweet-brier and single prairie rose grow profusely in the Central West. The ramblers may be used to cover old fences. The difficulty with most roses is a lack of artistic beauty after they have ceased flowering. A few have good foliage for massing. In Oregon and other Coast states the perpetual blooming roses may be utilized.

_Shad Bush._--See June Berry.

_Snowball._--There are several species and varieties. _Viburnum opulus_ and its varieties are probably best. Very hardy, good foliage, from 4 to 10 feet high, and when in bloom in the spring a most impressive sight with each bunch of blossoms looking like a truly big snowball.

_Snowberry._--Similar to the Indian currant, but has white berries. A very hardy native; blooming in the late summer its berries remain on the bush-like small pearls until late into the winter. _Symphoricarpus racemosus_ is the native shrub well worthy of cultivation. Will make its way wild along the roads if given a chance.

_Spice Bush_, _Calycanthus floridus_.--A small shrub bearing spicy flowers.

_Spirea._--The several species are all very artistic shrubs and worthy of the popularity which they bear. Can be used as a single bush, in hedges or in masses. The long graceful bends of the slender stems, reminding one of the streams of water from a fountain, their beautiful foliage and above all the foaming flowers in the spring time make them the horticulturist’s favorite. _Spirea van houttei_, bridal wreath, is considered to be the best, although _S. prunifolia_, and _S. Thunbergii_ have their admirers. _S. anthony waterer_ bears crimson flowers.

_Squawberry._--A local name sometimes given to Indian currant and snowberry, q. v.

_St. Johnswort._--A number of small shrubs of the family _Hypericum_. _H. aureum_ has a height of 3 feet and flourishes in the Southern and Western states. Wild it prefers rocky situations and shady spots. Yellow flowers.

_Strawberry Tree_, _Euonymus atropurpureus_.--Also called burning bush. Hardy in the South. Bright ornamental fruit persists into the winter.

_Sumach._--Several species of the family _Rhus_. They are native over a wide range and very hardy. The leaves are pinnately compound and hang down from the top of the stem something like a palm leaf, giving a suggestion of the tropics. Of about 120 species of _Rhus_ some sixteen are found in North America; all but four are shrubs. The poison sumach, _Rhus vernix_, should never be allowed to grow along the roads as touching the plant is said to be far worse than handling poison ivy. It grows in wet or swampy ground and the white berries are in drooping clusters. The ornamental sumach, _R. glabra_, is the ordinary common roadway plant, with its upright fruit clusters persisting late into the winter showing deep red against a gray or snowy white background. Its foliage is bright and clean during the summer and turns to rich colors in the autumn. Many ugly spots can with very little trouble be covered with this harmless roadside friend.

_Sweet Gale_, _Myrica gale_, and sweet fern, _M. asplenifolia_, are native small shrubs that can be well used in shrubbery border.

_Syringa._--Sometimes called mock orange. This shrub grows to about 8 or 12 feet high and on account of its many white flowers in late spring or early summer is a favorite garden shrub. In shape and fragrance the flowers resemble orange blossoms. It may be used in clumps, masses or in hedges. It is very satisfactory because it seldom fails to bloom and has good appearance afterward. Old wood should be cut out. The best species to plant are _Philadelphus coronarius_, _P. grandiflorus_, and _P. gordonianus_.

_Tamarix_ or _Tamarisk_.--A shrub of the genus _Tamarix_, which has been imported from the Mediterranean regions. The feathery foliage reminds one of the cypress vine. The species best adapted to the United States is _T. gallica_. It bears pink flowers in late summer. Is good for covering unsightly banks. May be propagated from cuttings. It will kill out in extreme winters.

_Wegelia_, _Diervilla florida_.--Several varieties. Good blooming plants and usually hardy. Rather poor foliage.

_White Alder_, _Clethra alnifolia_.--Native shrub 3 to 10 feet high.

_Willow._--Many of the _Salix_ family are shrubby and can be used well in low places. As they come into foliage early in the spring they are often used by the landscape artist. The shining twigs and leaves lend variety.

_Yucca._--The yuccas may be used effectively with formal plantings, or to lend variety to naturalesque schemes.

=Climbing Plants.=--A few climbing plants, perhaps, will be needed to complete the plan, but they can readily be found in such plants as:

_The Wild Grape._--It will grow 50 feet in a season and cover the nakedness of an old fence or stump with lovely foliage and furnish quantities of fruit for bird or human consumption.

_Ampelopsis quinquefolia._--Another rapid grower, also furnishing beauty and bird food. _A. veitchii_ and _A. englemanii_ are fine for covering brick and stone work.

_Bittersweet._--Another native climber showing beautiful red berries throughout the winter.

_Clematis._--Several varieties, some of them native, perfectly hardy, such as _Clematis virginiana_, not only gives its flowers but extends the pleasure long into the winter with the “old man’s beard.” _C. paniculata_ is a favorite, flowering profusely late in the fall.

_Honeysuckle_, _Lonicera_.--White, red and yellow are found. _L. sempervirens_ will be satisfactory for roadside work.

_Trumpet Creeper._--A hardy rapidly growing vine with large trumpet-shaped red flowers.

_Wistaria._--A rapid growing favorite with large spike like flowers, violently purple.

There are a number of other climbers available. The hop vine is a good grower, coming up year after year from the root. The several morning glories, from the old fashioned white that was the bane of the corn cultivator and the purple glory our grandmothers loved to the Japanese variety and the moon flower, are all good in place.

There is not time to go into the wealth of hardy perennial flowers, and the annuals which seed themselves, nor the grasses that may be utilized. The author would refer those who are interested to works on landscape gardening and horticulture. For a brief discussion of “the principles governing outdoor art with sundry suggestions for their application in the commoner problems of gardening,” see “Landscape Gardening,” by F. A. Waugh, Orange Judd Company, New York.

=Semi-Formal Style.=--In what precedes much has been said about beautifying the highway by proper planting. Perhaps one of the nicest and most ornamental pieces of road is that with a single row of trees, uniformly set and of uniform size, down each side; the grass from the roadway out neatly clipped; and the edge of the roadway where it joins the ditch a distinct line parallel to the road center line. This is the geometrical or formal style fully carried out. Hard maples set, say, 75 feet apart will give satisfactory results. For long level stretches the Lombardy poplar will give a pleasing variety to the landscape. Careful attention to the small details of keeping the road surface well smoothed, the side lines straight and the grass and weeds mowed, will add wonderfully to the pleasure of traveling on any highway. It is not the intention to have the grass smoothed with a lawn mower--however, with the horse-drawn and motor driven mowers now available that would not be impossible, and the road would look all the better for such clipping--but to have it mowed two or three times a season to give the grass a chance to overcome ugly weeds. For this reason the side ditches should be as wide and shallow as possible in order that they might grow grass on their bottoms and the mowing be done with a machine.

=Telephone and Other Poles.=--The matter of telephone, telegraph, electric light, and other poles is one that will bother. Telephone companies pay no more and not as much directly for the use of the highway as do trucks, but upon the theory that telephone communication is necessary for the transaction of community business and for the general dissemination of information, and from the further fact that any charge made for the use of the right of way would be passed on to the public as a sort of indirect tax, they are in most states allowed to set their poles along the roadside. The poles are more or less unsightly and as far as the beauty of the highway is concerned it would be better if they could be removed. In cities and villages the wires are being carried in cables and in many places under ground.

=“The Ideal Section.”=--The so-called ideal section of pavement being sponsored by the Lincoln Highway Association, located about 40 miles south of Chicago, between Dyer and Schererville, Lake County, Indiana, is to have all pole lines and other unsightly features removed, that the natural beauty of the right of way may be enhanced. A prominent landscape gardener has made extensive studies of the land and natural features, it being in a wooded country, and has developed a plan of beautification which will be worked out along the roadside. The general specifications of the “Ideal Section” calls for 40 feet of concrete paving, 10 inches thick and reinforced with steel in such a manner that it is hoped to prevent cracking. Shoulders of 5 feet on each side will make the used roadway 50 feet wide. It is to be placed in the middle of a 100-foot right of way, allowing 25 feet each side for landscape gardening. The plans for the “Ideal Section” follow the advice of a highly trained technical committee of road engineers and road enthusiasts, and while they do not claim this represents the ultimate in highways, the Association believes an attempt should be made to crystallize the ideas of the foremost highway authorities of the country into a tangible expression of the ideal, even though the expression must lack perfection.

Of course, it is not possible that all roads in the country can be made “ideal sections.” Nor even can telephone poles be banished from the right of way. To do this, no matter how desirable it might be from an esthetic standpoint, is impracticable at the present time. It would not only be a very great hardship to the pole-using companies but the expense of removal and the cost of new right of way, or, if they be forced under ground, the cost of conduits, cables, and installation would become a part of the capital investment on which dividends must be earned. Since this would not bring extra business it would be passed on to the public by increased rates. As “it is a condition and not a theory that confronts us,” we must make the best of it and design the roadside treatment with the poles and wires as a part of it.

=Location of Poles.=--In prairie district where there are no trees to interfere it is customary to set the poles either on the fence line or half the length of the cross-arms into the right of way. In case there are high hedges, trees or other obstructions, the poles are set near the side ditch, and trolley poles often on the very edge of the traveled roadway. On the whole it would seem best in most places to set the poles just outside of the ditch, leaving if possible the extreme edge for the planting of trees and shrubs. Neither poles nor trees should be set on the middle of the space between the edge of the ditch and the right-of-way boundary. In either case the limbs of the trees and the wires will interfere and the wiremen will hack the trees and leave them unsightly. In some states an attempt is made to prevent this and other vandalism by legal enactment, making it unlawful to cut any trees on the right of way without express permission of the highway commissioner.

No definite fixed rule can be made for the position of the poles. It is a problem to make the best of them. Also having once been set the pole owners may refuse to reset them, and it might be difficult to get courts to see the necessity of doing so. Therefore the landscape gardener will have to make his design with reference to them or, in cooperation with the pole users, get them changed. In the design natural condition should be preserved as far as possible. It might be wanted rightly to preserve large trees standing near the roadway; this would force poles to the fence line. When the poles are thus placed on the right-of-way boundary it may be necessary for the company to secure an easement from the owner of adjacent property. The highway officials, no doubt, under such circumstances would coöperate with the company in securing it.

By considering the poles as a part of the formal or semi-formal treatment of the roadside, having them arranged uniformly as to setting, distance, height, and length of cross-arms, they will not appear very ugly and even may unite interestingly, at least, with the landscape. Trees may be trained and pruned so that their branches will be above the wires, and shrubs may be grown below them. Anyway, the wires look like business.

=Legislation.=--Michigan, California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, and possibly other states have legislation covering some or all features that have been mentioned for improving and making attractive the appearance of the highway. Other states require property owners to mow the roadside abutting their land each year before weed seeds ripen, but this is not for the purpose of beautifying the roadway. The laws of Michigan provide for the planting and care of trees along state trunk line roads and national aid roads and allow counties and smaller political divisions to appropriate funds for this purpose. The injury or cutting of trees without authority from proper road officials is made a misdemeanor. Arrangements are also made for the Agricultural College to furnish trees and advice for roadside planting.

The laws of Michigan contemplate first a formal application by the counties for roadside improvement, then the plans are made by the staff of the Agricultural College. The necessary trees and shrubs will be obtained from the Agricultural College, or from local sources; nearby groves often furnishing all that are necessary, and the owners are willing to donate them for thinning often betters their own property. In other cases automobile clubs and other local organizations pay for them.

=Local Conditions Determine Planning.=--It cannot be too much emphasized that local conditions must determine the planning. The soil and topography, the future development of the roadway for the probable amount of traffic it is to carry, are all factors that should be considered. Neither must the planting be so profuse that the roadway is hemmed in with no lookout. Vision of the interesting points of view as well as vision along the highway itself must not be obstructed. Long vistas of fields, of hills and valleys, of mountain peaks and ranges, of lakes and rivers, are more interesting usually than all the planting that could be made on the right of way. Long, straight rows of trees uniformly spaced, while excellent in some places, might if continued too far become monotonous. Fit the planting to the landscape; possibly a clump here a clump there, or a small grove leading up a draw on land unfit for farming may be arranged in coöperation with the owner. Woodland should be purchased and parks prepared for picnics and outings. Massachusetts has done much in this way. The Government invites the public to make use of the National Parks and National Forest Reserves, but they are too far away from most people to fill an every-day want, therefore a need of local road beautification and roadside parks.

“Cover up ugliness and leave beauty,” is a good slogan, and it must not be thought to be inapplicable upon our home roads. But season everything with reason. A bold rock jutting out may be more interesting than the same rock covered with ivy. Appropriateness and fitness are fully as essential as beauty alone. So a bold line setting out clearly the safe boundary of the road may be more fitting than any attempt to harmonize the road with its surroundings. Good judgment and a sense of artistic fitness are the key to road esthetics.

SELECTED REFERENCES

BOEHLER, C. F., “The Appearance of our Highways,” _Good Roads_,
Vol. LXII, p. 205; “Selection, Arrangement and Planting of Roadside
Trees,” _Engineering and Contracting_, Vo. LVIII, pp. 233-234.

BRYANT, RALPH C., “Logging,” John Wiley & Sons, New York.

DAME, L. L. AND BROOKS, HENRY, “Trees of New England,” Ginn &
Company, New York.

DUDLEY, WM. R. Report to the U. S. Senate through Senator O. H.
Platt, of the record obtained by counting concentric rings of a
felled sequoia tree, Senate Document 156, Vol. V, 58th Congress.

FERNOW, B. E., “The Care of Tree in Lawn, Street and Park,” Henry
Holt & Co., New York.

GOING, MAUD, “Our Field and Forest Trees.” A. C. McClurg & Co.,
Chicago.

HOUGH, ROMEYN B., “Handbook of the Trees of the Northern U. S. and
Canada, East of the Rocky Mountains.” Hough, Romeyn B., Lowville, N.
Y.

KELLOGG, R. S., “The Lumber Industry.” Ronald Press Company, New York.

Lincoln Highway, Ideal Section of, _Engineering and Contracting_,
Vol. LVI, pp. 537-538.

MUIR, JOHN, “Our National Parks.” Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston.

PARKHURST, H. E., “Trees, Shrubs and Vines of the Northeastern United
States.” Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York.

REED, C. A., “Useful Trees for Roadside Planting,” A paper before the
Michigan Good Roads Association, 1921, _Good Roads_, Vol. LXI, pp.
173-176.

ROGERS, JULIA, E., “The Tree Book,” in “New Nature Library,”
Doubleday, Page & Co., New York, 1914.

SARGENT, CHARLES SPRAGUE, “Trees and Shrubs.” Vols. I and II, 4 Parts
to a Volume. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston.

SNOW, C. H., “The Principal Species of Wood,” John Wiley & Sons, New
York.

SOLOTAROFF, WILLIAM, “Shade Trees in Towns and Cities.” John Wiley &
Sons, New York.

“Trees for City Streets,” _Public Works_, Vol. LIII, p. 63.

WAUGH, F. A., “Landscape Gardening,” Orange Judd Company, New York.

FOOTNOTES

[212] In a paper presented, 1921, at the meeting of the Michigan
State Good Roads Association.

[213] “The Principal Species of Wood,” by C. H. Snow, Wiley & Sons,
New York.

[214] “Useful Trees for Roadside Planting,” a paper before the
Michigan State Good Roads Association, 1921.

[215] “Forestry and Irrigation,” August, 1903.

[216] Snow: “The Principal Species of Wood.” 2d Ed., Wiley & Sons, N.
Y.

[217] Op. cit.

[218] Congressional Record, Senate Doc. 156, Vol. V, 58th Cong.

[219] Op. cit.

[220] New Nature Library, Vol. III, p. 411, “The Tree Book,” by Julia
E. Rogers. Doubleday, Page & Co., New York, 1914.

[221] This Indian word seems to have been applied to many plants the
leaves or bark of which was used for smoking.