Tree and Sidewalk Conflicts

When trees are planted in the wrong place and or the wrong tree species is selected a multitude of problems can occur. One of the most commonplace involves tree root and sidewalk conflicts. Trees need a large amount of above and below ground space to properly establish. When the space is limited or conflicts exist with utilities, sidewalks, curbs etc. property damage and safety hazards can occur. Remedying these conflicts often involves substantial money, labor and or retrofitting which is why its best to address these issues at the planning stage before any trees are planted. Technology has also evolved creating Silva Cells, Tree Wells, Bonded Aggregate and Sidewalk Bridging as methods to avoid tree sidewalk conflicts. The City of Fort Lauderdale is exploring these options to better plan for and provide adequate root and canopy space for a mature healthy tree canopy. To learn more about these technologies please visit the following Silva Cells

 Bonded Aggregate, Tree Wells, Sidewalk Bridging.



How Trees Help in Preventing Floods

One often overlooked benefit that trees provide involves their ability to mitigate the effects of flooding and sudden water runoff from storms and or significant tidal events. Here in Fort Lauderdale flooding can occur from both and it is very important to keep strategic tree plantings in the mix to protect our coastlines from tidal events and or storm caused surges. The following article excerpt continues to define a tree's benefit as it pertains to flooding....

Trees are one of the most important organisms that exist on planet Earth 

Food for all living organisms originates from trees and other members in the plant kingdom. Every single organism depends directly or indirectly on trees for their survival. Trees not only provide food for other organisms, but also shelter and protection to many different types of organisms including humans. In addition, trees also provide wood, shade, oxygen and clean air. During heavy rains, trees reduce the risk of flooding. There are two major ways in which trees provide protection against flooding. Continue to Full Article

The Many Benefits of Trees

The above diagram shows some fantastic numbers concerning tree benefits in one particular environment. Trees have more value than just the aesthetic and quantifying the value typically results in some fantastic discussion points and often can lead to a renewed interest in tree plantings and proper maintenance. Check out the following article excerpt from the Wildlife Habitat Council to learn more...


Last week I read a fascinating article about urban forestry, which argued that strategically reforesting a 1.5-square-mile area in Houston could help reduce ozone pollution in the city. Using weather data and computer models, researchers estimated that a freshly-grown forest could remove as much as 310 tons of ozone from the atmosphere over the course of 30 years.

This got me thinking about the various merits of urban forests. Did you know that even individual trees provide a multitude of benefits to urban areas? Continue to Full Article

Can You Put A Price Tag On A Tree?

Trees offer many different benefits that when combined can really add up. Here is an excerpt from an article written by EarthShare. For the entire article read to the end of the excerpt.
Those who sell timber for paper and other products certainly do, but what about the worth of a living tree? When you add it all up, a tree’s price is incalculable. That didn’t stop Portland Parks & Recreation in Oregon from hanging actual price tags on trees in the community to give people a sense of the benefits they provide. What are those benefits? We picked ten of the most important:

1. Clean Air. Researchers at the Davey Institute found that urban trees and forests are saving an average of one life every year per city because of the particulates that they remove from the air. A study in the Journal of Preventative Medicine found that people experienced more deaths from heart disease and respiratory disease when they lived in areas where trees had disappeared. Trees are often referred to as the “lungs of the planet” because of the oxygen they provide to other living things.
2. Jobs. According to the U.S. Forest Service, recreation visitor spending in National Forests amounted to nearly $11 billion in 2012. All that economic activity sustains about 190,000 full- and part-time jobs. And that’s just in our National Forests!
3. Clean Water. Forests provide natural filtration and storage systems that process nearly two-thirds of the water supply in the United States. When you drink a glass of tap water in a New York City restaurant, you’re drinking water that was filtered largely by the forests of upstate New York. The forests do such a good job that the city only needs to do a minimum of additional filtering.... Continue on to Full Article

The Benefits of Trees

Trees have multiple benefits some of which are apparent and some not as much. The following is an excerpt outlining some of the benefits trees can provide:


The Benefits of Trees - Canopy: Trees produce oxygen, intercept airborne particulates, and reduce smog, enhancing a community’s respiratory health. The urban canopy directly contributes to meeting a city’s regulatory clean air requirements. Access to trees, green spaces, [...]

How to Stake a Tree Properly (And How Long to Keep It Staked)

   

Ensuring newly planted trees are braced if warranted is considered of paramount importance second only to proper planting and establishment watering. Please read excerpts form the Davey Tree article to learn more about if a tree needs to be braced, and if so how to go about proper bracing.
The new tree you planted is counting on you for enough water, sunlight and nutrients – and it needs a few other elements to succeed, too. A bit of pruning early on can help your tree establish a good shape. And your new tree may need a bit of literal support, like a stake. Though, not all young trees need to be staked. Read on to see if you should stake a new tree. If so, learn some staking trees methods and how long to keep a tree staked.

What You Need to Know About Staking New Trees

While it seems like young trees need extra support, most trees don’t need to be staked. Staking trees that don’t need it can cause the tree to grow fewer roots and develop a weak tree base. Only stake your tree if it needs extra support, protection or help staying anchored.

Should you stake your new tree?

If you properly planted a healthy tree with a sturdy trunk and solid root system, chances are you won’t have to stake it. You also don’t have to stake evergreens, conifers or trees that have branches growing lower to the ground. There are times when you should stake trees, though. .......... Continue Onto Article