Planning for Trees
by Henry Arnold
Street trees can help define the hearts of our cities and towns. But too often tree planting programs are based on poor planning and faulty assumptions. An introduction to some of the basics of planning for trees.
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A city without trees is like a world without poetry and music.
Tree lined streets are more than shaded passageways linking
buildings. They give us a chance to bring nature into the heart
of our communities, while linking us to our past.
Scientists
also have come to find a rational beauty in trees. Trees can
significantly reduce temperatures in town and city centers,
countering the "urban heat island" effect. This is accomplished
not only through the shading effect of trees, but also through
trees' ability to store large quantities of carbon -- a key
factor in global warming. Not only are air-conditioning costs
reduced, but efforts to combat global warming are assisted. If
this weren't enough, the leaves and branches of trees slow the
movement of raindrops, lessening soil erosion and storm sewer
system overload. Trees have also been found to reduce air
pollution, by removing particulate matter from the air, while
restoring oxygen to the atmosphere. ...
What is the first large step that we can take as planners to
challenge the inconsistency between our vision of the ideal city
and our declining urban forests? One answer is to include trees
in the comprehensive city or town plan. Shade trees are as
important to most people as traffic lights, garbage trucks, and
storm sewers. If the message of global warming has filtered
down, then I suspect planting more trees will become of much
greater concern, very soon. ...
[article continues with discussion of steps to take in including trees in the comprehensive plan; and design criteria that might be reflected in a tree plan -- with suggestions regarding locational criteria; type and size; spacing; size at planting; continuity; and use of sun diagrams]
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