Urban Trees: Which Future?

Abstract

Urban trees inevitably grow under conditions different from the conditions of the natural habitat. Compressed soil, bad water regime of soils, human activity, emissions and traffic reduce the life span of trees forcing researchers to select new species or cultivars for urban conditions. But, is this the right way? The article deals with a new technology of using different climbing plants in autonomous pots (vegetation units) and constructions at different urban sites. The new vegetation unit can solve problems at sites of bad soil, frequent traffic, and lacking space. The additional construction serving the climber as support can be designed in various shapes. Nutrition is supplied by hydroponic systems. A closed-soil growing system would eliminate the main problems of urban sites: water regime, soil compression, presence of solved salts. The new technology is economical and eco-friendly with the vegetation fulfilling all its functions.