Tree Root Damage to Pavements and Kerbs in the City of Manchester

Abstract

Of 2232 street trees surveyed during 1986 in Manchester ( 13 per cent of the total), 30 per cent were causing damage to pavements and 13 per cent damage to kerbs. Trees planted into pavements caused significantly more damage than trees planted in planting strips. Trees in planting strips> 3 m wide caused significantly less damage than those in strips< 3m wide. The most severe pavement damage usually occurred within a 2m radius from the base of the trunk. Significantly more damage occurred to pavements sealed with tarmacadam (asphalt) than to those paved with slabs. However, displaced slabs more commonly pose a safety hazard to pedestrians.Of the 8 commonest species and species groups of trees in the survey (lime (Tilia sp.), ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), whitebeam/rowan (Sorbus spp. ), sycamore/maple (Acer spp. ), cherry (Prunus sp. ), oak ( Querus spp. ), birch (Betula spp.), horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.)), lime and ash caused the most pavement and kerb damage, whitebeam/rowan and cherry the least pavement damage and cherry and oak the least kerb problems. Most trees started to cause damage when they were II -20 em dbh but oaks and horse chestnut not generally until >20 em dbh. The distance apart at which trees were planted had no significant effect on pavement or kerb damage.To minimise pavement problems it is recommended that trees are planted in planting strips, which should be as wide as possible. If planted into pavements an unsealed area, ideally at least 2 X 2m, around the tree base will reduce the severity of damage. Kerb problems can be reduced by planting in such a position that the trunk will be at least I m distant from the kerb when the tree is mature. When replacing large trees such as lime and ash along narrow and restricted streets it is advisable to plant

Diagnóstico da Arborização Após a Ocorrência de Evento Climático Extremo

“…Na cidade de Manchester, por exemplo, foi observado que "os danos às estruturas urbanas aumentavam de acordo com o tamanho das árvores" (WONG et al, 1988, citado por KLECHOWICZ, 2001.…”

Assessing environmental services and disservices of urban street trees. an application of the emergy accounting

“…This is powered by solar energy which raises the water Note: Detail benefits calculation process available in supplementary material section 2 and 3. Note: Wong et al (1988) has reported that the 8 commonest species and species groups of trees in the survey (lime or linden (Tilia sp. ), ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), whitebeam/rowan (Sorbus spp.…”

The Management of Tree Root Systems in Urban and Suburban Settings II: A Review of Strategies to Mitigate Human Impacts

“…Potential for conflicts between trees and pavement is high when one or more of the following factors are present: tree species that are large at maturity, fast growing trees, shallow rooting habit, trees planted in restricted soil volumes, shallow topsoil (hardpan underneath topsoil), limited or no base materials underneath the sidewalk, shallow irrigation, distances between the tree and sidewalk of less than two to three meters, or trees greater than 15 to 20 years old (Wong et al 1988;Randrup et al 2003). Large trees in restricted planting spaces is most commonly associated with pavement damage (Barker 1983;Wagar and Barker 1983;Wong et al 1988;Francis et al 1996;Achinelli et al 1997;McPherson 2000;D' Amato et al 2002b;Reichwein 2002;Reichwein 2003).…”