Creation Of An Urban Forest Essays Example

Description of location. Visual analysis of DC Street Trees Map shows that Washington DC is cover with urban forests all over its territory. It can be observed that all areas are planted with trees of same families in order to preserve natural balance and aesthetic between them. I have chosen to create a new urban forest zone along the Hawthorne street NW, on the border with National Smithsonian Zoo, located in Wesley Heights neighborhood on south of Tenleytown. This is an area with red brick block houses from one side and light slope with bushes and grass on the other. Houses are not receiving enough shadow, vegetation on the slope needs revitalization. Overall, area looks abandoned but potentially perspective.
Constructing the forest. Several varieties of oaks and maples could be planted in the selected area considering growing of the same trees in nearest neighborhood. It shows that these species are comfortable with soil structure and weather conditions. Black oak (Quercus velutina), Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii), Willow oak (Quercus phellos) and Pin oak (Quercus palustris) planted together with Silver maple (Acer saccharinum) and Norway maple (Acer platanoides) would create a harmonious composition: green leaves with similar shape, dark barks and colorful yellowing in autumn. The slope is exposed to the sun which is good for oaks. Root system will strengthen the elevation, preferable for maples. Cool wet climate of Northwest will create favorable conditions for growing. However, the state of trees needs to be regularly checked in order to avoid possibility of oak wilt or bacterial leaf scorch development.
Desirable positive impact. In our case study I would orient plantation benefits towards practicality and aesthetics. Having trees planted in selected area will positively influence the quantity of fresh air and shadow on the street. Considering types of trees we can foresee their beautifulness of structure and color which will look harmonically with overall landscape and architecture. These two main objectives may cause other positive effects as improvement of environmental conditions of area and raise of attractiveness for people. Place can have higher level of people walking by or even become more interesting to move in.
Resources. In order to set up an urban forest we should first of all consider the overall possibility to do it. This includes accordance of landscape capacities with law restrictions and planting instructions. By the desirable time of planting all the documentation, materials for planting, space and labor need to be prepared. Moreover, after planting, regular revision of territory should be done. Trees, no matter in what period of their lives, require care not only of people who are nearby but also specialists as arborists. From nature’s side we should expect an interflow between old and new environment until complete harmonization.
Difficulties. Obstacles are certainly inevitable during this potential project. However, the most important thing is to define the right tree for right place as mentioned by Casey Trees organization. In our case the slope for plantation needs examination and probably some reconstruction in order to provide normal growing of trees. All troubles with requirements, documents, plantation and care are manageable, but what would be the point of that if trees grow not the right way the mend to. Second possible problem would be diseases and parasites. Regarding changes in climate and global warming, behavior of viruses and vermin are unpredictable. All in all, these possible difficulties could postpone or slow down the process, but could not stop it.