Urban tree planting programs have been implemented in many cities around the world, based on the potential environmental and social benefits they can bring. Recent studies have provided evidence of the contributions of these programs, as well as their viability and limits, to solving or mitigating urban environmental and social problems. It has been found that urban trees can provide local cooling, stormwater absorption, and health benefits to local residents. However, their potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution is limited due to space constraints.
Consequently, urban trees are more suitable for climate and pollution adaptation strategies than for mitigation strategies. To maximize the environmental and health benefits of urban trees, well-managed tree planting and localized design interventions should be implemented at both local and municipal levels. Trees can also improve the appearance of our homes by providing frames and backgrounds, absorbing noise, cooling the atmosphere, serving as windbreaks, providing privacy, protecting, shading, sheltering and dividing land into several areas of use. When planting trees in areas with heavy foot traffic or other human activity, there are certain considerations that must be taken into account.
Homeowners must provide adequate care for preserved trees and design compatible landscapes and services that protect the health of the trees. A tree preservation plan should be created to show the location of the house, driveway and trees that are going to be removed, invaded or conserved. The walls of the cribs can be used to limit the length of the fabricated slopes, providing more space for trees and development. It is also important to use the drip line as a rule for a TPZ for trees with wide crowns such as open-growing oaks.
Developers only need information about the trees that grow on the edges when dealing with trees that grow in large clusters or wooded plots. If a tree is planted smaller than the minimum cut recommended (5 x 5 x 3 feet), surface damage issues are expected to arise. Finally, native plant species should be used for landscaping underneath preserved trees as they offer a variety of sizes, colors and shapes. Focusing on comprehensive and phased planning together with site-specific design and monitoring may be more effective in integrating urban forests into sustainability strategies.
