Urban trees can protect city residents from extreme heat, but tree planting programs seldom provide sufficient shade where it is most needed. We synthesize evidence highlighting three rarely fulfilled prerequisites for the effective use of trees in heat adaptation.
The science journal Nature recently published an article explaining why it’s important for cities to increase their urban forests. (This of course should include preservation of existing healthy shade trees.)
It advises that tree canopy needs to be close to homes, workplaces and public spaces as a countermeasure to extreme heat. Increased street tree density is also very important — shade trees spaced too far apart along a street are both more heat-stressed and less effective at cooling surrounding hardscape.
Site preparation and maintenance must be included in this planning to ensure this green infrastructure stays healthy and protective. "Strong tree protections that can support 50+ year lifespans in urban trees promise radically improved canopy outcomes, especially when applied across urban forests of thousands of trees.”
Read the article here:
Urban forestry for cooler cities faces three critical hurdles