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#rant #street #sycamore #trees
Published: 2023-01-13 06:56:07 +0000 UTC; Views: 522; Favourites: 1; Downloads: 0
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Description
Overall I have a positive view of Suburbs in the United States. I'm not one of those who blindly hates them and wants everyone living in urban shoeboxes. However, there are many flaws and problems with them, chief among which being that many become bare of trees over time. Americans have a bad habit of removing perfectly healthy trees merely out of fear or convenience. And because those reasons are what drive that decision, if they are replaced(which they rarely are) it's usually with a much smaller ornamental tree. Often the same varieties of ornamentals(Dogwoods and Japanese Maples), giving a feel of monotony to many neighborhoods. And they can't do the same job as the larger trees either.Benefits of larger trees are numerous. Filtering the air, cooling it, shading streets and homes to keep them cooler in summer, keeping grass greener longer(cant tell you the number of times I've seen trees removed for a clear lawn that needs constant watering in the middle of summer just to not turn brown), encouraging people to go outside and walk, provide much more wildlife benefits, pulling water and nutrients from deep underground, controlling erosion, etc.
Its should also be noted. As humans trees and greenery calm us down. Areas with a lot of it tend to even have lower crime rates according to at least one study.
This particular street still has a lot of its original street trees(Sycamore or London Plane I believe), though every few years another disappears without being replaced. It's a pity as well, as this street has a very wide tree lawn(yes, that strip of grass between the sidewalk and road is called a tree lawn, and was specifically meant as a place for street trees. Bet you guys didn't know that!). Often they're made too narrow, and tree roots end up buckling the sidewalk as a result. For a wide one like this there's no worry of that. And you have a much bigger variety of trees you can choose from.