Some trees are just not cut out for city living. Choosing the right trees to line streets, highways, city parks, neighbourhoods and shopping centres can make a huge difference in the overall aesthetic of these urban areas. City tree trimming and maintenance services can help turn a concrete jungle into a lush oasis.
The best trees for urban areas
If you’re looking for trees to beautify your urban residential, commercial or industrial space, here are four top-tier choices.
Northern Red Oak
The Northern Red Oak is a classic tree that can be found in cities all over the world. This tree is great for urban areas because it can grow even in poorly drained areas—meaning it is low maintenance and can grow even in less than ideal conditions.
Japanese Tree Lilac
This absolutely beautiful tree looks good in all seasons, especially in the spring when it buds fragrant white flowers. The Japanese Tree Lilac can successfully grow in cities all over the world and does well in colder climates. This city tree needs a bit of extra trimming, but well worth it.
Black Gum Tree
The Black Gum Tree really shines in the autumn where the leaves turn beautiful shades of red, orange, yellow and purple. This slow growing tree can be 30 to 100 feet tall and has a pyramid shape that is pleasing to the eye.
European Hornbeam
THe European Hornbeam may be small but it packs a punch with its beautiful leaves and striking grey bark. Being a very densely foliated tree makes it a great option for a privacy screen or windbreak.
Why greenery in cities matters
Greenery is extremely important to urban areas for both looks and function. Trees, bushes and flowers provide much-needed colour and calm to often busy, grey urban centres. Tree-lined streets, parks and floral arrangements help bring life to a city and give the people living in them a chance to escape into nature which is good for mental health.
Perhaps more importantly, trees and other greenery provide oxygen, shade, habitat and many other important environmental services. Cities produce a lot of pollution, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Planting more trees helps because they trap and absorb much of these pollutants. Besides this they also pump more life-giving oxygen into the air, lower the air temperature and humidity and reduce water runoff.
Trees help reduce the risk of flooding because of their ability to absorb upwards of 450 litres of water a day and a trees’ roots slow the filtration of water into city drains. With the majority of the ground in a city being made of impermeable materials like concrete, we need soil and other natural materials to help out with heavy rain and snow melt.
Urban areas are transformed with the right greenery lining the streets. Investing in planting, city tree trimming and maintenance of the right trees can have huge impacts on the mental health and wellbeing of those living there and untold environmental benefits to the surrounding area.