Boise became the City of Trees, but in the 19th century, there was a love-hate relationship

“Woodman Spare Those Trees” was the headline on a small story in the Idaho Tri-weekly Statesman of March 1, 1877. The article noted that native cottonwood trees, planted a few years earlier because they grew fast and were readily available along the Boise River, were now being cut down. They were found “objectionable,” said the story, because better varieties had now grown to sufficient size to provide shade. Lombardy “popular” (spelled thus) and different kinds of maple were mentioned.

In September 1874, just 144 years ago this month, the paper noted that the weather was “deliciously cool and pleasant,” and that “Autumnal tints are making their appearance in trees around the city.”

In September 1879, a letter to the Statesman from a professor Elijah Chaney of Placerville describes his efforts to get his neighbors to plant the seeds and seedlings of trees he had imported from Illinois and shared with them. “Nearly all the young forest trees are growing now. All those persons who were careful to observe the directions about planting the forest tree seeds have been very successful in rearing young trees from them; but I regret to say nearly all appear to be so very thoughtless as to only cause the seeds to be wasted.

“I distributed 33 different packages within an area of 100 miles. Even after talking carefully to several different persons, as well as sending written directions with the packages, saying please, and do not let the package of seed s remain in the house even one hour, or the small seeds will dry up so they will not grow up at all, and the largest kind, such as black walnuts, acorns, hickory nuts will so thoroughly dry in three days’ time in the house, that it would be as reasonable to expect so many dry chips of wood stuck into the ground to turn into living trees, as to expect those dry seeds stuck in the ground to grow up at all.”

Chaney’s disappointment in his neighbors is understandable.

Back to Boise’s cottonwood trees: In June 1881, the Statesman urged passage of an ordinance requiring all cottonwood trees to be cut down before another spring, “as the cotton flying from these trees at this season of the year is a great nuisance.” It also urged that that the limbs of trees that hung over sidewalks be cut back to allow a clearance of 7 feet.

The Statesman continued to report regularly on the city’s trees: In June 1882: “The locust trees are blooming about the usual time, notwithstanding the late spring. Boise City may now be said to be in full summer attire. With its numerous shade and fruit trees, few cities on the coast present a more attractive appearance in summer than does Boise City.”

In March 1883: “Planting Trees. The time for tree planting is already upon us. Two kinds of tree planting ought to be prosecuted with a great deal of vigilance in this country. First, fruit trees, and second forest trees. The past cold winter, which has evidently killed a good many fruit trees, may dampen the ardor of a good many men, who will neglect to replant orchards or set out orchards this spring. For three years we have had beautiful fruit crops, which proves beyond a doubt that Idaho is well adapted to fruit growing. Some localities are more favorable than others. Boise City is a favored spot. It is safe to say that the fruit crop of Boise City was worth $50,000 last year. Warm gulches sheltered from winds are more favorable than the large open valleys.”

After all its efforts over the years to get its readers to plant trees, and more trees, in September 1885 the Statesman urged “Cutting Down Trees. – Our city is overburdened with shade trees. In many places it is like living in a forest. So much timber and so much shade is decidedly unhealthy. The Lombardy poplar is a dirty tree, covered generally at this time of year with bugs or flies that hop off and get into the houses, so thick they are very annoying and dirty. There are too many of these trees, and it would be better for the city if they were all cut down and made into wood, and other trees planted, but not so thick. We need more sunshine. It is far more healthy. We notice that several parties are cutting down these trees, and we are glad to see them do so.”