|
|
|
In cities and towns, trees growing in the easement area along sidewalks and on boulevards (the area between the sidewalk and the street), are called street trees. The city usually retains ownership of these areas (and these trees), in order to maintain access to city utilities.
Because of their proximity to human activities, street trees are constantly exposed to a number of stressors not normally faced by trees growing in other areas:
Although street trees are usually selected based on their ability to withstand tough environmental conditions, providing a little extra care and maintenance can greatly increase their chances of living a long and healthy life.
Proper watering is essential to maintain the health of any tree-especially newly-planted trees. Concrete and asphalt create run-off, which greatly reduces the amount of water available to nearby trees. You can help street trees develop deep root systems by watering them deeply every 10 days or so throughout the growing season. (Deeper roots are also less likely to damage sidewalks.) To check the moisture level of the soil, dig 4-6 inches deep, about 24 inches from the tree trunk. If the soil is dry, the tree needs water.
Adding mulch around street trees adds organic nutrients to the soil, conserves water, and suppresses weeds. Use organic materials (wood chips, chopped leaves, grass clippings) to create a bowl-shaped ring of mulch 4-5 inches deep, starting 6 inches out from the trunk and extending to the drip line. Avoid building a mulch "volcano" (a mound of mulch around the trunk), which can trap moisture near the trunk and promote disease.
Don't:
Do:
About The Author: Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at http://www.sustainable-media.com
By
12/11/2009
Great points, I think we tend to overlook these trees, but they play a big role in the neighborhood.
By
12/10/2009
Terrific article Ellen. Here in Australia. Melbourne to be exact.. this time of year can be VERY hot, and also we have drastic water restrictions, ie, no watering of anything between certain hours and only on certain days. A few years ago our local council urged residents to take care of their street trees. HMMM! The problem for me is that I live in a second floor apartment of a block of ten, There is no garden here, just the concrete car park, Also I live at the back of the block, up 2 flights of external stairs.
No hose watering could be done, even if I had a hose long enough, so all that summer I carried buckets of water up and down the stairs to water a beautiful little flowering gum which was a street tree a few doors down.
However, outside this block, there was a little tree that the garbage collectors smashed to the ground by throwing the bins right on top of the tree.
complained to the council, and in due course they sent a worker around to plant another little tree.
Same thing! The garbage guys also smashed this one. It split, so I taped up the break hoping it would heal, but it died. I haven't tried for a third tree. I'm too disheartened.
By
12/10/2009
In some cities the property owner is responsible for trimming trees in the easement area. If they don't do it the city sends somebody to do and bills the property owner. My opinion is that if they are on city property the city should be responsible.
Like ThriftyFun on Facebook
