STREET TREES

STREET TREES are a tried-and-true way to encourage walking, slow traffic, and beautify a city. People develop strong attachments to trees and the places they associate with them. Street trees are also a cost-effective way to make a city more resilient in the face of weather events. After three years of watering, a hardy tree is established enough to need virtually no maintenance for the rest of its life. Compare this to shrubs or perennials, which require pruning, replacing, and watering, but do not provide any shade. Shaded surfaces (such as asphalt) can be up to 40 degrees cooler than surrounding unshaded surfaces. Shade is not the only way trees lower temperatures, either. Trees release water vapor and oxygen, which helps to cool the air around them. This process, called evapotranspiration, can reduce temperatures by an additional nine degrees. Grant opportunities are available for heatmitigating and stormwater infrastructure such as street tree plantings.

Total Trees: 132

Recommended species:

Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)

Willow Oak (Quercus phellos)

Laurel Oak (Quercus laurifolia)

Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii)

Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia)

Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)

STREETSCAPE AND ALLEYS HARVEY’S PARKING LOT

The parking lot in front of Harvey’s is one of the most-visited parts of downtown. With several prominent businesses and a central location, this area sees a lot of traffic, both in vehicles and on foot. However, the vast expanse of pavement bakes cars in the sun and makes walking from the far side of the lot unpleasant. The impermeable surface of the pavement also catches stormwater and prevents it from infiltrating back into the ground, creating drainage issues.

EXISTING: This aerial photo shows the parking lot of Harvey’s and a section of Golden Isles Parkway. The lot has 298 parking spaces but only one tree. The vast expanse of paving creates heat and causes drainage issues, as evidenced by flooding in the area behind the former Traditions restaurant. Planting trenched trees throughout the parking lot could nearly eliminate the runoff that creates “the pond.” The tree wells would allow for the infiltration of stormwater and reduce the amount of runoff pooling on the asphalt. The existing parking is also angled with one-way drives between rows, a layout typically used in tight urban lots with limited space. This lot has ample room for a more efficient and pleasant parking arrangement.

Large-Canopy Shade Trees (67)

Recommended species:

Laurel Oak (Quercus laurifolia)

Willow Oak (Q. phellos)

Shumard Oak (Q. shumardii)

Proposed Parking Spaces (292)

Existing Trees (10)

Proposed Patio

PROPOSED: This plan shows the proposed new parking layout in the Harvey’s lot. This arrangement has 292 parking spaces, only six less than the current layout, plus 49 trees in the parking area. This concept includes a total of 67 new trees. Large-canopy shade trees would significantly reduce the temperature in the parking area. Species like laurel oak, willow oak, and Shumard oak can tolerate heat, drought, and wet soil, making them a good fit for sites like this.