I stumbled upon this silly anecdote in my Saturday, August 13, 1853 issue of the New England Farmer. It was printed in Boston, when horses were as common as cars. While we are on the subject of tree protection, I thought I’d re-publish it here:
"People often set fine trees about their buildings or gates, and leave them unprotected by stakes or boxes. By-and-by neighbor Cleverman rides up with his bay colt, full of fire and mettle, in order to pass the compliments of the evening, or perhaps, purchase the present year's crop of onions. He looks for a post to which he may tie his champing steed, but there is none! Nothing presents itself but a beautiful rock maple, which, surprising as it may seem, has been growing by the side of the gate for four years, and has just formed a head of perfect grace and symmetry. So Bucephalus is hitched to the maple, while his owner chaffers with farmer Thoughtless about the onions. The two friends close the bargain, and then sit long in pleasant confab about the prospect of the crops, the cattle market, and the construction of the new road to Boston. But as there must be an end to all things, so there was to this interesting conversation; the moon had gone down, and the shadows of night covered the earth when Cleverman unhitched his impatient steed; and went clattering over the bridge.
From his chamber window, in the gray dawn of the next morning farmer Thoughtless saw the skinned and tattered rock maple poisoned by neighbor Cleverman's horse.
Moral: If a man sets trees, hedges, gates and makes fine fences, he must expect to have them trampled down or torn up by his neighbor’s horses unless he accommodates the trees with armor and provides the horses with good substantial posts, with holes, rings or hooks, to tie the horses to."
From his chamber window, in the gray dawn of the next morning farmer Thoughtless saw the skinned and tattered rock maple poisoned by neighbor Cleverman's horse.
Moral: If a man sets trees, hedges, gates and makes fine fences, he must expect to have them trampled down or torn up by his neighbor’s horses unless he accommodates the trees with armor and provides the horses with good substantial posts, with holes, rings or hooks, to tie the horses to."
In the 19th century, young street trees were commonly protected with what were known as "Tree Boxes." At first, they looked exactly as you'd expect: a tall wooden box built around the slim tree trunk. They were often tapered, with a base that was slightly larger than the top. As the century matured, more durable structures became available, manufactured with a steel mesh. Although these were circular in shape, the term "tree box" continued for a while.
Today, we can easily protect our trees with tree bark protectors. Affordable, lightweight, and of course... thoughtful.
