Tree guards for trees near playgrounds and high pedestrian traffic areas, with tree bed planting events after their installation

Do you have specific Neighborhood(s) in mind?

Forest Hills

Which group(s) does your idea focus on? Select as many as apply.

Anyone who benefits from a healthy urban forest, which is everyone

Describe the challenge you want to address:

It is hard for street trees to survive when people walk through their beds, and dogs pee in their beds and on them. It is important that street trees thrive because their beds absorb rainwater (helping prevent floods), shade the ground and buildings to minimize the heat island effect and lower the summer temperatures of our neighborhoods, clean the air, muffle city noise, and much more. But when people walk through their beds, compacting their soil so it can't absorb water and so the roots can't get air, or when dogs pee in the soil and those urine salts poison the tree or break down its bark, or when people (illegally) fill in tree beds with bricks or concrete, trees can't do any of those things. They struggle, and die, and then we have to spend money to replace them when it's much more efficient to support the ones we have.

What is the solution to the challenge?

Welded tree guards could be installed. They keep people from walking through the tree beds, and indicate to the people in the neighborhood that the trees are valued and should be protected and maintained. Ideally, after the tree guards are installed there would be planting parties, where neighborhoods (and families) have the opportunity to plant annual flowers in the beds, so they can feel some ownership over them and learn more about caring for street trees and their neighborhood. Signs could be put up during the process as part of a temporary exhibit that educates people on the importance of street trees and some dos (mulching is good) and don'ts (piling mulch up against the trunk is bad).

Please provide your Zip Code

11775