I often get the following question from designers: what do I do with the space between the pavement and the street tree? Typically, it’s a small space of anywhere from 16 to 64 square feet in which the tree is supposed to live, commonly known as the “tree pit.” Really, it is an opening into… More
Here is this year’s photo from the Bartlett Tree Lab study comparing different planting methods for urban trees. This year, we can also share a graph that demonstrates just how well the trees growing in suspended pavement are doing relative to the other treatments.
A large-canopy tree is a very beautiful thing. On this, most people will agree. But is not only beautiful—it also benefits its community. It provides shade and shelter, protects air quality, and reduces air temperatures, water runoff, and human stress. A street lined with such trees is a desirable place to live and work, and… More
Someone thought this was a good idea: plant street trees that are already “limbed up” to provide clearance for cars, keep signs visible. No need for follow-up maintenance for the next 10 years….right?…
DeepRoot CEO Graham Ray has largely managed to avoid being a public figure – but that’s starting to change. Last week, he joined LinkedIn (a huge victory on my part). And today, we’re very pleased to share a video project that has been in the works for the past couple of months to formally introduce him… More
The design of urban hardscape installations is challenging at the best of times in that it must address a host of concerns related to surrounding land uses or facilities, different and adjoining pavement structures, new and existing buried utilities, stormwater management, and other systems or amenities that support the health and wellbeing of plants and… More
In a recent webinar discussing the first principles of using trees and soil for stormwater management in urban areas, I mentioned that I am often not in favor of using mulch. In fact, I said that if it were up to me, mulch would not be included by default in most planting specifications. After the… More
“Bare root” is the form that most trees take when nurseries begin the several year process of growing trees for retail. The young trees must be handled carefully, are typically only available at certain times of year, and some species are sensitive to transplant as bare root stock. This has made it a bit tricky… More
A few weeks ago I attended the International Society of Arboriculture tradeshow and expo in Toronto. It was a fun show, with a number of excellent sessions and some great conversations. But the most fun part was getting a chance to go see some of our Silva Cell installations in the city, and the trees… More
In July, this blog posted about the disagreement among citizens in Portland, OR over proposed changes to their urban tree ordinances. At its heart, the conflict in Portland seems to center on whether the city government should have jurisdiction over privately owned trees. The majority of the commenters on the article felt that the city’s… More
This is the fifth and final post in Peter MacDonagh’s series on the history of street trees in Holland. Today, how an ancient Dutch barge made its way to a Midwestern living room. -LM In my Midwestern living room in the U.S., we have hanging on the wall a small blue and white plate. This… More
The research has been out for a while now: circling, girdling, diving and kinked roots in the nursery pot lead to poor health, blown-down trees and shorter lifespans. With budgets for greenery shrinking, every tree or shrub has to last for a while.
Soil. Stormwater. Sustainable Infrastructure.
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