CREATE LIVING GROUND

Street Trees Thrive Better with Other Plants at their Base

A tree pit, bare ground beneath a tree, sealed with gravel or concrete does not protect a tree. It slowly harms it.

Without water infiltration, active soil life, or shade over its surface roots, a street tree receives far less than it needs to thrive.

During hot, dry seasons, the difference between surviving and struggling can depend entirely on whether that small patch of soil absorbs rainwater or sends it straight into the storm drain.

A tree pit planted with drought-tolerant groundcovers and native flowering plants can help retain moisture after rainfall, reduce soil temperatures, and provide seasonal blooms with minimal maintenance.

Living soil also supports a wide range of beneficial organisms, including native pollinators and other invertebrates that depend on healthy urban habitats.

Healthy trees begin with healthy soil. Sometimes, a single square meter of living ground can make all the difference.

– Story and picture from INature