Chapter 29 - Tree species for use in urban areas supporting sustainable drainage

Abstract

This new chapter is concerned with the suitability of potential tree species for use in urban areas in temperate and oceanic climates to support sustainable drainage. It comprises a case study that aims to assess the potential of trees for integration in urban development by evaluating the damage caused by trees in relation to various tree characteristics. Tree damage to permeable pavement systems and other urban structures such as impermeable pavements, kerbs, roads, retaining walls, footpaths, walls, and buildings were assessed to identify the most suitable trees for the urban environment. One hundred square sites of 100m×100m were randomly selected in Greater Manchester for this representative example case study to demonstrate the assessment methodology. Among tree species in this study, Acer platanoides L. (Norway maple) occurred most frequently (17%); others were Tilia spp. L. (Lime; 16%), Fraxinus excelsior L. (common ash; 12%), Acer pseudoplatanus L. (sycamore; 10%), and Prunus avium L. (wild cherry; 8%). The readers learn that 44% of the damage was to impermeable pavements and 22% to permeable pavements. Other damage to structures included kerbs (19%), retaining walls (5%), footpaths (4%), roads (3%), and walls (3%). Concerning the severity of damage, 66% were moderate, 21% light, and 19% severe. Aesculus hippocastanum L. (horse chestnut) caused the greatest damage (59%) expressed in percentage as a ratio of the tree number related to damage over the corresponding tree number that was found close to structures.