"Hungry Trees"
Hungry Trees first caught my attention during a trip to Montreal, where I saw signs near certain trees that read, "Arbres Gourmands". In French, a 'gourmand' is someone who greatly enjoys eating, and a polite way to call someone "fat". Whoever hung these signs seemed to be gently ridiculing the trees.
Years later, I realized the term 'Hungry Trees' misreads what's happening with these trees; they aren't at all hungry for sidewalks, fences, or anything of the like.
As a tree grows taller and its crown grows fuller, the trunk ― which is the pipeline between the leaves and the roots ― must be able to transport more water, sugar and nutrients. For that reason a growing tree will grow a wider trunk. A tree will engulf whatever's in the way of its widening trunk, but that's merely a side-effect of its primary goal: growing a thicker trunk.
Understanding apparent hungry trees this way, which is the correct way, means it's no longer the trees that deserve ridicule; rather, it's us. Tree trunks grow wider over time, a fact in almost all cases. If we don't build to anticipate this growth, we are building short-sightedly or in ignorance of how trees work.
Instead of saying "hungry trees" we should call them "confined", "restricted" or "cramped trees".
Years later, I realized the term 'Hungry Trees' misreads what's happening with these trees; they aren't at all hungry for sidewalks, fences, or anything of the like.
As a tree grows taller and its crown grows fuller, the trunk ― which is the pipeline between the leaves and the roots ― must be able to transport more water, sugar and nutrients. For that reason a growing tree will grow a wider trunk. A tree will engulf whatever's in the way of its widening trunk, but that's merely a side-effect of its primary goal: growing a thicker trunk.
Understanding apparent hungry trees this way, which is the correct way, means it's no longer the trees that deserve ridicule; rather, it's us. Tree trunks grow wider over time, a fact in almost all cases. If we don't build to anticipate this growth, we are building short-sightedly or in ignorance of how trees work.
Instead of saying "hungry trees" we should call them "confined", "restricted" or "cramped trees".
trunkflare
Though trees can be massive, they're delicate. Especially so at the very base of the trunk, where you'll find trunk flares, the area of the tree that often winds up cramped for space. 'Trunk flares' are the in-between zone where the roots converge to become the trunk― a highly delicate part of a tree's anatomy since they are like main arteries. Damage here can jeopardize the entire organism.
Trees work wonders for any city or built environment. We would be wise to plan for their longstanding health.
As your encounter cramped trees on your next walk, if the tree's obstacle cannot be removed, take that tree as a lesson in poor vegetative planning and don't make the same error.
Trees work wonders for any city or built environment. We would be wise to plan for their longstanding health.
As your encounter cramped trees on your next walk, if the tree's obstacle cannot be removed, take that tree as a lesson in poor vegetative planning and don't make the same error.