Effect of conocarpus erectus on the infrastructure of misan province, Iraq

Abstract

C. erectus is a fast-growing and drought-resistant tree, for these reasons it is widely planted in the southern part of Iraq around parking and along the streets in recent years. The ministry of municipalities and ministry of higher education of Iraq has banned this species based on rumors about the infrastructure damages caused by this tree. So the purpose of this study is to investigate the reality of these damage to infrastructure on the basis of scientific principles. This study lasted for two years in cooperation with services directorates (municipal, sewage, water, and communications) in Misan province. Four infrastructure damages caused by this tree have been reported three out four were reported in drinking water pipes led to water outages for few days, and the other one was reported in the domestic sewage causing a blockage at the junction of sewer pipes. Any case of damage to streets, sidewalks and line services (electricity and internet) were not reported in the present study. According to soil tests and other parameters including (tree height, length of the root, the pruning and the distance between the tree and infrastructure) that have been used in the current study, lack of irrigation and not to prune the trees planted near the infrastructure represents the main causes that led to the occurrence of infrastructure damages by the hydrotropism, which increment of root extension and ended with its pipe penetration leading to blockage of water drinking and sewer pipes. In conclusion, this tree can be planted, but with conditions that include regular irrigation, pruning leaf, and plant trees away from the infrastructure.