They don't plant 'em like they used to.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/87217/hare-hill-park-a-jewel-in-littleboroughs-crown

Beautiful flowering cherry trees, cheer the place up. The victorians knew about trees and planted them for the future. We don't really bother nowadays.

The Victorians also had ways of ensuring that the majority of what was 'planted' stayed 'planted' and wasn't destroyed by 'yobbery' and idiots. In the decades that followed anything that wasn't vandal-proof got trashed.
An interesting note to follow this comment and one that may require posters views -.
From approx the turn of the century we here in this area have experienced considerably less vandalism than previously (I refer to the 70s, 80's and 90's). Considerably less youth on the roam and as a consequence - less trouble from bored yobs. I suppose this is a sign of the times. A fear for childrens safety when 'abroad' and 'more' to do at home or in each others houses.
Every cloud has a silver lining in that respect - but - - - - - -????????????