An American blog has an interesting discussion on urban trees. The writer generally applauds the compilation of the list of the top ten cities for urban trees, including New York and Seattle. However, they query the criteria used and suggest the additional items of the minimum soil volume allowed and the shape of the roots container.
Some cities apparently still allow 5′ x 5′ (1.5m x 1.5m) box cells, and not larger cells and trenches etc, and the lower standards limit the range and development of tree types.
Urban trees offer a range of benefits including shading, air cooling via water transpiration, noise reduction, air quality improvements; as well as aesthetic and wellbeing benefits. A good Green Infrastructure policy for a town or city will give strong support for urban tree cover. Link:
sustainablecitiescollective.com/node/125471?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SustainableCitiesCollective-TwitterHandleFeed+%28Sustainable+Cities+Collective+-+Twitter+Handle+Feed%29