A Review of Opportunity and Challenge in Growing Street Trees in Paved Urban Environments

Street trees have long been recognized as a contributing factor to increased residential property values and offer numerous environmental, economic, and social benefits in both residential and commercial areas. This review article aims to examine the opportunities and challenges associated with planting street trees in urban environments. However, the rapid pace of urbanization has resulted in a significant rise in impermeable surfaces, which can intensify the environmental pressures faced by street trees. Street trees play a crucial role in urban life by delivering a wide array of advantages in residential and commercial zones, and they contribute to the well-being of communities by offering environmental, economic, and social benefits. Nevertheless, the expansion of impermeable surfaces can exacerbate the strains placed on urban ecosystems and urban forests. These strains often force tree roots to proliferate in areas that provide more favorable conditions for growth, but unfortunately, these areas also cause damage to infrastructure and uplift pavements. This damage incurs substantial costs, prompting the exploration of various preventive measures aimed at preserving tree health and minimizing pavement damage. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the benefits provided by street trees, their perceived value within communities, the expenses associated with uncontrolled root growth and pavement damage, and, most importantly, by implementing these preventive measures, urban areas can maintain the numerous benefits provided by street trees while mitigating the negative consequences associated with their growth, the latest research on proven measures to prevent pavement damage and enhance street tree growth.