In the name of progress

by Clair Urbain

The word “construction” is almost synonymous with the word “progress”. We measure the growth of our communities by new housing starts and new businesses or how much office, retail and manufacturing space is available and under construction.

Progress definitely changes the landscape. Business parks spring up in wooded meadows or former farm fields. Highways expand onto and streets criss-cross property that sits next to developed areas.

You can also see progress taking place in well-established city areas. Aging infrastructure must be updated; worn-out homes, obsolete factories and shopping centers are replaced with buildings poised to serve people in the 21st century.

But that progress can have several price tags, the least of which is what the progress does to the present environment. It can leave its own form of devastation in its wake. Trees that have made a place in the established environment often become sitting ducks as construction progresses.

While the trees’ demise may be unavoidable, other times the trees’ death is only caused by lack of consideration or ignorance on the part of urban planners, architects, engineers and contractors hell-bent on getting a project done on time and under budget.

Established trees affect property values, the aesthetics and the comfort of the area. When construction comes in and hacks away at roots or compacts the soil in the root zone, trees can suffer and die. In turn, the area suffers because the dead trees must be removed. In forward-thinking towns, these trees are replaced with a sapling, but it will take decades to produce the aesthetics, comfort and value of the tree that was thoughtlessly sacrificed in the name of progress.

Many could argue that the loss of trees is not a sign of progress. It’s a sign of communities thoughtlessly consuming its natural resources to “advance” the community.

But when you consider that a tree can add as much as $40,000 to property values and the value of their natural ability to help manage storm water run-off and improve air quality, it’s important to reconsider their value in the urban jungle.

Jim Kringer from the forestry department for the City of Milwaukee puts it best in this issue’s contractor profile starting on page 10: “Contractors often view the value of the tree as what it would cost to replace it. But if you can work around trees, they accentuate the value of your work. If all of the beautiful trees stay, they add value to the project.”

Trees play an important role in our urban environments. Take the time to learn how trees grow and what can affect their health. A little consideration in the planning and construction phase can go a long way in protecting these wonderful natural assets that enhance our living and business spaces.

Published in the September/October 2003 issue of Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine.

 back to top