The "Right Trees" In The Right Place
In 1908, following the recommendations of the Olmstead Brothers of Brookline, MA, Spokane undertook a major street beautification effort. 80,000 trees were purchased and planted in strips and medians throughout the city. Now nearly 100 years old, many of these trees are nearing the end of their natural life spans. It's time for Spokane to undertake major initiatives to address the long-term health and maintenance street trees throughout the city. In addition to well-known environmental benefits like energy conservation, wildlife habitat, soil stabilization and stormwater retention, rows of regularly placed canopy trees create spatially unified streets. Bungalows, Four Squares, Tudors, Colonials and 60's Ranchers are all linked and connected to each other and their surrounding neighborhoods by these beautiful outdoor corridors. The trees calm traffic and make sidewalks feel safer. According to the USDA Forest Service, mature trees add an average of 10% to a property's value. They may even extend the life of asphalt by reducing temperatures on very hot days.
"The Right Tree In The Right Space" is a mantra of most urban foresters, arborists, and tree advocates throughout the country. These professionals are committed to the health of trees and concerned also about protecting sidewalks and curbs from invasive roots. Consequently, most tree ordinances recommend** small trees in narrow planting strips, medium height trees in medium width strips, and large trees only in wide strips. In the future, the majestic Sycamores and Norway Maples common our neighborhoods won't be allowed along most residential Spokane streets. Unfortunately, the crowns of small trees don't grow high enough to avoid traffic, parked cars, and pedestrians. Such plantings are really "Poke-You-In-The-Eye -Bushes, not street trees. Nor are large trees planted in rows 15' away from curbs "street trees"; they have nothing to do with streets.
Special consideration needs to be given for historic neighborhoods. According to Section 17C.200.050,B,7 of Spokane's municipal code: "If a street has a uniform planting of street trees or a distinctive species within the right-of-way, then new street trees should match the planting pattern and species." This contradicts the city's planting guidelines, which need to be revised for historic neighborhoods. We also need to pay more attention to zoning code section 12.02.916 which calls for the Protection of Public and Private Historic and Heritage Trees. Potential problems caused by street trees must not be used to diminish their considerable benefits. And we cannot allow all important urban design decisions to be made by road engineers, utility company attorneys, and the bureaucrats who select the monstrously over-sized garbage trucks tearing up our streets. "Efficiency" is fine, however, quality of life matters, too.
If we don't begin to seriously address the problems facing our street trees, future generations will find Spokane's historic neighborhoods barren places with diminished value and little real beauty. We need to take action now.
Gary Lauerman, SPA Vice President