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TOPIC: Urban A. Basswood, 88.75'
http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees/browse_thread/thread/2084324a24b2487e?hl=en
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== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Feb 19 2008 4:04 pm
From: Andrew Joslin


I'm finding that urban trees can use buildings as wind shelter, or
compete against them for light, or both. This can encourage the
growth of a fairly tall city tree. My neighbor's Honey Locust is a
good example of this. There are several good-sized American Basswood
in a neighborhood of Boston called the South End. Along Washington
street there is a basswood of considerable girth and crown spread in
a park called Blackstone Sq., it's on my list to be measured. Then a
block south at the intersection of Washington and Rutland St. there's
an old burial ground with a basswood on one side growing close to a
9-story building. I measured it today and came up with 88.75'. The
tree has form like a forest tree, not impressive girth but reaching
to the sky. The cemetery is closed so I couldn't get in to measure
the girth. It doesn't rank with the taller basswood in Massachusetts
but is tall for the city.

Andrew Joslin
Jamaica Plain, MA

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Feb 19 2008 4:08 pm
From: dbhguru@comcast.net


Andrew,

I understand what you mean. The citry of Northampton is awash in tall trees. The same is true of Stockbridge, MA. Interesting, some of the Springfield, MA have fairly tall trees. Many are silver maples, no less. There are still lots of elms. Also, small parks and strips o woods between areas of houses and Interstates and 4-lane roads have many tall trees lurking. Urban woods can be way cool.

Bob

Urban trees can reach a decent size - the key thing is protecting the
roots from things like street paving, tiny tree planters, etc. and the
limbs from over-zealous pruners. If left alone, durable species can
reach a good size.

I haven't lived in any truly urban areas, though I recall a few huge
sycamores lurking in parks not far from the central areas of Philly
when going to school there. These were relatively small parks - a city
block or two - but the trees were respectable.

Out here in the denser suburbs, the city has come to the trees, but
there are still large trees in various places, though they may have
been planted back when development was less extensive. Still, most of
them were obviously planted based upon their positions near roads and
buildings, though a few are randomly enough located that they may have
been leftover trees from some long-lost farm, tree-row, forgotten
estate, etc. Some of these urban relics and survivors can reach a
decent size.

Mathew Hannum Feb 27, 2008