HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY

with illustrations, Portraits & Sketches of Prominent Families and Individuals.
New York: W.W. Munsell & Co.; 1882.
pp. 59-60.





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CHAPTER IV.
THE TIMBER GROWTH OF QUEENS COUNTY- ITS USES- THE NURSERY GROWTHS.
WHEN first visited by Europeans Queens county appears to have been well
wooded, with occasional clearings, except that Hempstead Plains, 16 miles long
and 4 broad, were covered with a luxuriant growth of wild grass and a humble
shrubbery of oak and other forest trees that were mere dwarfs in stature.
Denton, writing in 1670, says: "The greatest part of the island is very
full of timber, as oaks white and red, walnut trees, chestnut trees, maples,
cedars, saxifrage, beech, birch, holly, hazel, with many sorts more. For wild
beasts there is bear, deer, wolves, foxes, raccoons and great store of wild
fowl, as turkeys, heath-hens, quails, partridges, cranes, ducks, brant,
widgeons, pigeons, teal, geese of several sorts; and on the south side lie great
store of whales, grampuses and seals." Two-thirds of the Indians had
already become extinct.

The cutting down of trees has in several places diminished and even dried up
the primitive streams. The felling of trees and clearing up woodlands being
often done in an irregular and wasteful manner, the several towns soon found it
necessary to enact sundry regulations. To illustrate their way of proceeding it
will be necessary to make some extracts from the old records.

In selling land to the early settlers the Indians at Jamaica stipulated that
one thing to be remembered by the whites was that they should not cut down trees
"wherein eagles do make their nests." In 1656 it was ordered that
"whosoever fells trees in the highway shall remove them." All persons
16 years of age and upwards were required in 1674 to cut down brush about the
town or forfeit 5 shillings each time. In 1691, August 5th, "it is ordered
that the brush be cut off 4 days in the year by every landholder, under penalty
of 3 pence a day for defaulters."

At Oyster Bay the town voted (June 30th 1684) that the townspeople turn out
and "cut the brush, and that there be a forfeit of shillings per day for
each man defective." In 1686, February 13th, the town ordered that "no
trees be cut down or felled in the streets or common, under 5 shillings
penalty for each tree; but any one may lop a tree growing before his door or by
his fence, that may be an annoyance, provided he don’t kill the tree."
November 10th 1693 "trees, saplings, brush-wood fallen or cast upon or
across the road (whereby people are forced to turn out of the road, many in much
danger) are to be cleared off in 3 days; then to be cleared off entirely in 20
days after the date of such annoyance, under penalty of 20 shillings for every tree."

In Newtown January 30th 1668 the town voted that any inhabitant might fall
timber for his own use in uninclosed land; but none should cart wood or timber
for strangers to the water side, the forfeit being 10 shillings per load.
December 2nd 1676, the town ordered that "no one shall transport timber
except fire-wood out of the town." In Hempstead it was voted in 1708 that
"if any person should girdle or peel the bark of any standing tree on the
undivided lands he shall pay 6 shillings in money," and in 1812 a committee
was appointed "to prevent undue waste of timber and trees standing on the
common lands."

The forest trees were cut down not only for timber for framing buildings and
fuel; but also, after the erection of saw-mills, staves and heading were shipped
to the West Indies to make molasses, rum and sugar hogsheads; clapboards,
shingles, boards and planks were in demand for building purposes; ship timber
was needed for the ship yards in New York and Long Island. Immense quantities of
wood were sent by market-boats to New York, where it was the chief fuel till the
introduction of anthracite coal, about 1825. Indeed the persistent clearing off
of woodlands threatens to dry up our streams and change our climate. The
wasteful consumption of wood in the wide open fire-places of our ancestors can
hardly be conceived of by the present generation, who sit in close rooms kept
warm by patent stoves day and night.

The destruction of the native growth of timber has been one of the causes
promoting the nursery business, which has grown to such remarkable dimensions.
The different nurseries are treated of in the histories of their localities. The
advantage of so many nurseries in this county is perceived in the large number
of superior varieties of apples and pears, and still more in the general
planting of shade and ornamental trees. Few counties can compare with Queens in
beautiful parks and door-yards, and no house is deemed complete unless
surrounded with handsome shade trees and evergreens, interspersed with flowering
shrubs and beds of flowers. There are few desirable shade trees indigenous to
the local forests. A few ash, elm, tulip and liquidamber or sweet gum trees are
found in the woods, but the chief supply must come from other parts, as the
native oak, chestnut and hickory will rarely repay transplanting. The best
variety that is adapted to the soil of the middle States, enduring winter’s
cold and summer’s drouth, is the Norway maple. Leaving out early in spring,
bearing pretty yellow flowers, it holds its leaves perfect until the late autumn
frosts gradually disrobe it. The next is the silver or white maple, of quick
erect growth, which is more planted than any other. Sycamore and sugar maple in
suitable soil thrive well. The noble American elm-the classic tree of New
England-and basswood or American linden have their admirers, and none are of
more rapid growth or more symmetrical than the tulip tree. Passing on to the
evergreens, it is remarked by strangers how many evergreens are planted on Long
Island. The pines, erect and widespreading, intermixed with Norway spruces,
enliven many a winter home and rob stern winter of its bleakness. Few are the
country houses around which the evergreens, in hedge or windbreak, do not defy
the northern blast, There is no hedge more beautiful than the hemlock, properly
trimmed. Arbor vitaes, both American and European, are largely planted for this
purpose. Evergreens are often planted in August and September, but most prefer
April and May. Unlike deciduous trees, their leaves evaporate moisture
continually, and if it is very dry soon after they are planted they often
perish, with all the care generally bestowed in their planting. Many flowering
trees are now planted. The varieties of hardy trees of this description are
numerous. The Chinese magnolia in full bloom is magnificent; the
horse-chestnuts, both white and red, please the eyes of all; the flowering
thorn, cherry, peach and plum, with the graceful new weeping willows, help to
make a pleasing variety, and the purple beech pleasingly contrasts with all
these if arranged in good taste in regard to effect and color.



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