Buffalo Rising Online

the cutouts are way to small, untill that problem is corrected new tree's are a waste of money and effort.

I was just at the corner of Main and Huron with a friend. We looked North towards Chippewa and Main and sae beautiful, full trees. We then looked South and saw hardly ANY trees. Needless to say, the "feel" of the street was vastly different. We actually wanted to walk North.......and wanted to avoid walking the other way. They also "fill in" the sidewalk and help make the street look less deserted. Additionally, in the Winter time they could be lit up with lights.......making the block look nicer then too.

Has more to do with the type of tree than the size of the cutout. Except for the bottom picture The cutouts look fairly standard in size. Probably why so many cities are using Ginko trees now. Anyway the Olmstead conservancy should have a better idea than most as to what trees are adaptable to lining urban streets. The article would have been more constructive if it took inventory of tree species that survived and those that did not..

I have had alot of experience planting trees and know that regular watering for the first year is critical. This past summer was wet enough that many trees did quite well but the summer of 2007 was so dry that many newly planted trees died. There are many varieties that are suited to survive in the harsh environment of a city street and the city forester is very knowlegable on this subject. London Plane is a type of Sycamore that is especially tolerant and I have had very good luck with this particular tree. Oh- and don't forget "MORE TREES LESS BUSH" is the most important part of tree planting and protecting our environment.

The real sad trees are those on Chippewa.. where the trunk pokes straight through the Asphalt. Just a matter of time before they die. I agree that the cut outs are way way way to small more most trees to live a healthy life. We need to have larger than the standard 3' x 3' square. The grates that often cover the cut outs in other cities and ours can be decorative and descriptive elements. Instead of just a square with radial spokes how about a name, a design. Bring in some starving artists, they work cheap. Why not give them some more work, instead of some stamping plant in Kentucky or China.

About the city's Arborist.. The position does exist and until recently it sat empty. The last arborist quite because the city refused to fund or even listen to him on projects. What good is an arborist (or a planning staff) if the administration is going to just rubber stamp and ignore their claims. He was a guy that quite a job out in the suburbs somewhere to become the city's arborist because he felt he could help more older growth trees in the city than the suburbs. He is long gone

The current arborist, I think is Jeff Brett, he used to work for the Olmsted Conservancy so I have a great deal of confidence that he knows what he is talking about. I met him a couple times and feel he is knowledgeable and professional... but without administrative support, it doesn't matter. I don't know how well he is doing or how well the Brown administration is listening.

I assume he is a busy guy but the lack of tree canopy and 'green' in general around our city is both fiscally and environmentally irresponsible. Something we as a citizenry should be ashamed of.

The wrong species are being planted in the wrong locations.

http://www.streettree.org/Species/tabid/259/Default.aspx

This is about the deadest urban corridor in the universe. NO people. Trees thrive with the love of people, just like dogs and squirrels and rabbits and birds.