Concrete Jungle

Travis Hirman
11/03/11
Trees are generally a good thing. They provide us with air to breathe and wood to turn into useful products. Another benefit they have to humans is there aesthetic value. We like to see them in our daily lives; their color can brighten a dull landscape and make us happy. I think that everyone needs to live around trees and see them every day, but there comes a point when tree placement becomes poor. Planting trees in an urban setting is something that needs to be reconsidered. I don’t mean that no trees should be planted in cities, but there becomes a point when tree location becomes reckless. Specifically, I am talking about trees that are planted alongside city streets in a patch of dirt on a sidewalk. Many cities plant trees in this fashion, and the plot of land used is usually two to three foot wide squares. Large trees have roots that spread out about as wide as the crown is, and they run at or near the surface of the ground. Once a tree grows past its small piece of soil it is given, it runs into concrete. The growth of the roots often cracks and pushes up sidewalks and streets. This damage incurs unnecessary costs to the city, and if left unrepaired can be a hindrance or even a hazard to citizens. Trees planted in other areas of a city are a better plan. Parks allow trees to grow in an urban setting without inhibiting root growth. When trees get planted in confined spaces, it poses a huge detriment to their health. Life spans for city grown trees are typically only ten years. Personally, I don’t think that there is much of a point in planting a tree when it is going to live in poor condition and die well before it would naturally. The cost of planting and maintenance outweighs the benefits that they provide. Trees can be planted in cities without seriously reducing their life span. The trees in my yard at home were planted over twenty years ago and they are still doing fine. If there is no other option for the location of trees, other plants could go in their place. Shrubs and flowers can provide the same aesthetic value as trees, and are much more viable options.