Establishing street trees in stormwater control measures can double tree growth when extended waterlogging is avoided

Abstract

Cities around the world are embracing stormwater control measures (SCMs) to reduce the environmental damage caused by impervious runoff. At the same time, there is a push to increase tree canopy cover to green neighborhoods and mitigate urban heat. Establishing SCMs that include trees may achieve these two objectives, but it is important to understand which design characteristics promote or reduce tree health and growth. We therefore undertook an 18-month streetscape experiment comparing four tree pit SCM designs, along with a control (non-SCM) street tree planting, to identify design characteristics influencing the water balance and growth of newly planted trees (Acer campestre (L.)) in an ..