StlToday - Removal of 10,000 ash trees continues in St. Louis
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/met ... 83ad8.html
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/met ... 83ad8.html
My street got that treatment on Tuesday for trees that were planted in 2006 unfortunately just before the Emerald Ash Borer became a known issue in Michigan. The Cimmaron Ash trees that we had seem to be more resistant to the borer as all of the trees were still healthy, but I knew it was only a matter of time before they were all cleared. That's what happens when a monoculture is planted, and designers seem to have an unhealthy but maybe getting better obsession with that. Thanks to already having a stock of trees for spring planting from Forest Releaf as we always do, I'll be out replanting the street trees starting Monday with a variety of native species. Just sad to go back to the empty tree lawns like 15 years ago. At least we have sidewalks and a lot more new houses and renovated and occupied historic buildings than before then.
Good opportunity to geek out about street trees.
As someone who’s been involved in tree planting in my neighborhood for the last 8 years have learned a few lessons about the right tree for the right site-
Choose trees with tap root systems (like oaks) that are less likely to blow over in storms and lift up sidewalks over time.
When possible choose a tree with a wild life support component like pollen for bees and berries for birds. Some are even host plants for caterpillars
I tend to choose large shady trees (like tulip poplar on sunny open locations with generous setbacks) ) to provide respite in high summer.
Oaks that retain their brown leaves in winter can be used as windbreakers along open and exposed areas.
North facing sidewalks that tend to get darker in the winter I opt for trees that have open or dappled shade like thornless honey locust or those that drop their leaves early like gingko
to allow for winter light and snow-melting.
If the adjacent building is dark brick I tend to use trees leaves with silvery undersides or light-colored trunk interest. If the buildings are pale or flat in color I will go for contrast with glossy dark green foliage. Or a spring flowering deal.
Something flowering, scented or shady next to a bus stop
Have not planted monocultures because of ‘eggs in one basket’ situation as well as similar soil nutrient depletion profiles over time.
What wisdom/experience have you to share? (And yes I like to overthink things but then nuance can be the difference between good and great)
As someone who’s been involved in tree planting in my neighborhood for the last 8 years have learned a few lessons about the right tree for the right site-
Choose trees with tap root systems (like oaks) that are less likely to blow over in storms and lift up sidewalks over time.
When possible choose a tree with a wild life support component like pollen for bees and berries for birds. Some are even host plants for caterpillars
I tend to choose large shady trees (like tulip poplar on sunny open locations with generous setbacks) ) to provide respite in high summer.
Oaks that retain their brown leaves in winter can be used as windbreakers along open and exposed areas.
North facing sidewalks that tend to get darker in the winter I opt for trees that have open or dappled shade like thornless honey locust or those that drop their leaves early like gingko
to allow for winter light and snow-melting.
If the adjacent building is dark brick I tend to use trees leaves with silvery undersides or light-colored trunk interest. If the buildings are pale or flat in color I will go for contrast with glossy dark green foliage. Or a spring flowering deal.
Something flowering, scented or shady next to a bus stop
Have not planted monocultures because of ‘eggs in one basket’ situation as well as similar soil nutrient depletion profiles over time.
What wisdom/experience have you to share? (And yes I like to overthink things but then nuance can be the difference between good and great)
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As somebody who is in a profession this is a real good summary of how to effectively plant a street. Only added advice i have is I try to have 3 or more tree types and alternate them in groups. Also depending on the street type I would use soil containment cells to allow roots to not overtime be compacted. The typical product specified is Silva cell but there’s other brands. Glad to say several projects in the city I’ve been able to get some streets to go from 1-2 trees along a block to 8-10 trees. It really makes a difference from the pedestrians viewpoint and there’s some research that likes to say it slows traffic down as well.imran wrote:Good opportunity to geek out about street trees.
As someone who’s been involved in tree planting in my neighborhood for the last 8 years have learned a few lessons about the right tree for the right site-
Choose trees with tap root systems (like oaks) that are less likely to blow over in storms and lift up sidewalks over time.
When possible choose a tree with a wild life support component like pollen for bees and berries for birds. Some are even host plants for caterpillars
I tend to choose large shady trees (like tulip poplar on sunny open locations with generous setbacks) ) to provide respite in high summer.
Oaks that retain their brown leaves in winter can be used as windbreakers along open and exposed areas.
North facing sidewalks that tend to get darker in the winter I opt for trees that have open or dappled shade like thornless honey locust or those that drop their leaves early like gingko
to allow for winter light and snow-melting.
If the adjacent building is dark brick I tend to use trees leaves with silvery undersides or light-colored trunk interest. If the buildings are pale or flat in color I will go for contrast with glossy dark green foliage. Or a spring flowering deal.
Something flowering, scented or shady next to a bus stop
Have not planted monocultures because of ‘eggs in one basket’ situation as well as similar soil nutrient depletion profiles over time.
What wisdom/experience have you to share? (And yes I like to overthink things but then nuance can be the difference between good and great)
Thank you. I believe I’ve come across something like the Silva cell system before. Is that only for larger streetscape projects or could one re-do individual tree wells with this?
Interesting stuff.
Although as someone who has a locust tree.. I hate their leaves and pods so much more than other trees. Not as much as sweet gum balls but close.
Although as someone who has a locust tree.. I hate their leaves and pods so much more than other trees. Not as much as sweet gum balls but close.
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Usually it is just to expensive to do individual trees. Cost effectively it’s best to do full blocks or at least pairs as then the pairs of trees or blocks of trees share the full unit. Typically this system is used on more urban situations downtowns, plazas, etc.imran wrote:Thank you. I believe I’ve come across something like the Silva cell system before. Is that only for larger streetscape projects or could one re-do individual tree wells with this?
Existing trees depending on caliper size could be repulled and have the system added but as they get bigger it’s just to costly and or stressful on the tree. It’s best done on initial install.
NextSTL - Reforesting STL in the Era of Climate Change
https://nextstl.com/2023/08/reforesting ... te-change/
https://nextstl.com/2023/08/reforesting ... te-change/
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^I've been thinking about this for using the remaining ARP money and really putting a dent on increasing the canopy across the city. Especially after last month, we can use all of the trees we can get. I'm personally thinking about adding a handful of shade trees to my yard because of it.
I recall at one time on Pershing between DeBaliviere and Union there were huge trees that shred their skin and they were cut down. Did they need to be? Possibly they did need to be removed but maybe we should not remove trees that in a persons opinion just dont fit the landscape
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Living is a shady (literally) neighborhood is such an amenity
~7 ash trees were cut down on my block. Two sets of three were in a row. The loss of shade just hurts.
I don't know how people on barren blocks can stand it. Just picking two at random, 6300-6400 Arsenal, almost none, looks miserable.
I don't know how people on barren blocks can stand it. Just picking two at random, 6300-6400 Arsenal, almost none, looks miserable.
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I think Pershing between DeBal. and Union is one of the best examples of a street canopy in the city. It really makes a difference, though we could be better at managing the trees. Fallen branches is a common issue on the block.
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That’s true. It’s really the only barren spots in the neighborhood.
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^I would love a city-wide "tree per square foot of concrete" for commercial buildings rule.
^specifically thinking about all of the QT's and especially this one 
That is barren but than again I can see for security and safety you would not want numerous sight obstructive bushes/trees at a place of business with numerous moving vehicles. I dont know how many times when exiting a driveway I have said to myself "really they put that bush/tree right there so it obstructs ones view of oncoming traffic"
In addition that barren qt palette increases witness/camera views of that get away vehicle
In addition that barren qt palette increases witness/camera views of that get away vehicle
The problem here is the QT, the lack of trees is just a symptom
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Agreed, but I'm just trying to think of locally how we can make a difference on the street tree canopy and shield that hot hot asphalt, lol
Yes, sorry to be short and flippant, the point I wanted to make in response to yours and hebeters' observations is that building for high car traffic is directly in opposition to creating and maintaining tree canopies. In other words I don't think we will get effective tree cover along our streets until we start designing streets from a philosophy other than simply trying to move as much car traffic as quickly as possible, a philosophy typified by the large gas station in your example. I think it will take a shift in the way we think about our streets to create the landscapes we want rather than just planting more trees.pattimagee wrote: ↑Aug 11, 2023Agreed, but I'm just trying to think of locally how we can make a difference on the street tree canopy and shield that hot hot asphalt, lol
I'd love to see St. Louis focus on this - specifically between sidewalks and streets. Not only does it have environment and heat island benefits, it also increases property values and makes neighborhoods look more attractive. I've been in multiple metro areas this year that have done this much better than us and it made an immediate positive impression on me.
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Those are sycamores or relatives of them. My neighborhood has tons of them, and they all look sickly. A couple years ago, some really sick ones caused property damage multiple times from huge branches falling on cars, awnings, and fences. Some research pointed me towards an epidemic of a certain fungus that makes their leaves brown. There was an article in the P-D that said it doesn't kill the try. But obviously something has to be causing them to completely die. When I asked about these trees on Reddit, someone replied that the sycamores might finally be showing the effects of a drought that occurred around ten years ago. Regardless, the city is slowly removing these.hebeters wrote:I recall at one time on Pershing between DeBaliviere and Union there were huge trees that shred their skin and they were cut down. Did they need to be? Possibly they did need to be removed but maybe we should not remove trees that in a persons opinion just dont fit the landscape
And I just want to let everyone know that you can request a tree to be planted in front of your property. I rent, and the city still followed through with the request. Took a year, but still. https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/d ... oblems.cfm
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That would most likely be a sycamore or plane tree. Very similar trees with the most noticeable difference being the amount of fruit/seeds created. If given appropriate amount of space, they do well in urban toxic soil environments.hebeters wrote:I recall at one time on Pershing between DeBaliviere and Union there were huge trees that shred their skin and they were cut down. Did they need to be? Possibly they did need to be removed but maybe we should not remove trees that in a persons opinion just dont fit the landscape