Elise Stolte, 2016-08-01
Edmonton Journal
The article describes the trees in Edmonton, Alberta, which are grown in small pits between sidewalks and a heavily-compacted road. The mortality of these trees is high and about three years after planting there is only 40% of the canopy remaining.
They are now trying to adapt to new technology where small plastic tables stacked underground and filled with rich, un-compacted soil can give the trees the space they need, even under sidewalks or parking spaces. These alternative technologies can cost up to $16,000. Budget dollars are directed to drainage and transportation needs instead of trees. However, well-planted trees and mature canopies provide many unexpected benefits.
Edmonton has experimented with new soil cell technologies along several streets, including Stony Plain Road, 112 Avenue in the Highlands and 96 Street downtown. New soil cells shaped like plastic tables provide a compacted parking surface or sidewalk while protecting the uncompacted soil beneath. It creates long soil vaults between trees or soil bridges underneath sidewalks to allow roots to reach front yards.Â
Tags: technology, case study, tree mortality, ecosystem services
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