Debunking Anti-Tree Myths

Most of the reasons street trees are sometimes unpopular with residents are either untrue or can be mitigated.

1 minute read

August 8, 2019, 10:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Rua Goncalo de Carvalho

Amigos da Rua Goncalo / Wikimedia Commons

There's a surprising amount of resistance to the ideas of street trees planted in sidewalks, according to an article by Catalina Jaramillo:

Trees aren’t generally controversial. They usually look nice, they provide shade and improve the air and water quality. Scientists say they even make people happier. 

But when it comes to planting a tree on the street, many Philadelphians say — nuh uh, not in my sidewalk. 

The reasoning for this anti-tree vitriol is fairly easily debunked, according to Jaramillo.

The article walks through a series of myths about street trees, providing evidence to the contrary:

  • MYTH 1: ‘There’s few trees in lower-income neighborhoods because residents don’t want them’ 
  • MYTH 2: ‘Trees get into pipes’ 
  • MYTH 3: ‘Tree planting and maintenance is prohibitively expensive’
  • MYTH 4: ‘Trees destroy sidewalks’ 

As noted by Jaramillo, sometimes there are risks and liabilities associated with street trees, and sometimes the trees chosen for planting on streets are the wrong trees for the job. But still, trees can and should be far more beneficial than harmful, and it's far more worth the effort of having trees than not to have any trees at all.

Thursday, August 8, 2019 in PlanPhilly

Red on white 'Room for Rent, Inquire Inside' sign

In Most U.S. Cities, Archaic Laws Limit Roommate Living

Critics argue laws preventing unrelated adults from living in the same home fail to understand the modern American household.

May 24, 2023 - The Atlantic

Vancouver Chuck Wolfe

Ten Signs of a Resurgent Downtown

In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe continues his exploration of a holistic and practical approach to post-pandemic urban center recovery, anchored in local context and community-driven initiatives that promote livability, safety, and sustainability.

May 24, 2023 - GeekWire

New York MTA subway station

Off-Peak is the New On-Peak

Public transit systems in major U.S. cities are starting to focus on non-rush hour travelers as pre-pandemic commuting patterns shift and transportation needs change.

May 19, 2023 - Curbed

Nighttime view of Tacoma, Washington skyline

Tacoma Coalition Calls for ‘Tenants’ Bill of Rights’

The group wants to put more power in the hands of tenants, but the city has its own, competing proposal for addressing the housing crisis.

May 26 - The Urbanist

Wind turbines sillhouetted against a sunset sky along roadway in New Mexico

New Power Transmission Line Approved in the Southwest

The proposed transmission line will transfer wind-produced power from New Mexico to cities in Arizona and California.

May 26 - U.S. News And World Report

Aerial view of 238 freeway in Oakland, California cutting through neighborhood with small houses

The Limitations of ‘Reconnecting Communities’

The Biden administration has pledged to correct the damage imposed on communities by highways and infrastructure, but many projects are only committing to minor improvements, not transformative changes.

May 26 - The New York Times

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.