Sidewalk cafés and tree pits: Tree encroachment

"Trees outstrip most people in the extent and depth of their work for the public good". You might think this statement represents the ranting of an eco-maniac, but don't be so quick to dismiss the argument.

Consider just some of the contributions trees make. Air quality is improved as leaves filter the air by removing dust and other particulates. As trees' leaves absorb carbon dioxide from the air to grow, they also absorb other air pollutants-such as ozone, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide-and give off oxygen. Trees mitigate the urban heat island effect by providing shade, and help absorb storm water.

The benefits don't stop there. Numerous studies have shown trees have positive effects on all kinds of social factors. According to the American Forests, greener urban areas have lower levels of graffiti, as well as property and violent crime. Trees are associated with reducing stress and generally improving quality of life. The value of trees is reflected in real estate prices, properties with trees have 8-20% higher values than those without. These are the reasons that trees are an established component of city infrastructure.

Our former mayor, an unabashed tree advocate, made significant investments in Chicago's urban forest. He also established policies such as the Landscape Ordinance, to insure that trees and other green space were included when real estate was developed or renovated.

Here in West Town, we've been the beneficiaries of these policies; most obviously on Division Street. In 1997, the sidewalks were a mess, with cracked pavement and gaping holes. When repairs were made, new tree pits and trees were installed. Because Division Street has particularly wide sidewalks, city foresters and planners and took the opportunity slightly enlarge the tree pits. Metal fences to enclose the pits were an added enhancement, and a moratorium was established to institutionalize the new streetscape.

Fast forward 15 years, and Division Street is populated by new restaurants and bars. Many take advantage of the business opportunity the warm weather presents, i.e., increasing their retail space by adding sidewalk seating. A permit is required for these expansions, thus outdoor seating also represents income to the city. Like many Chicagoans, I enjoy dining al fresco, and don't mind ceding some sidewalk to businesses. Sounds like a win-win-win. But wait - what about those trees that are standing in the way of maximizing expansion?

Alderman Joe Moreno's Chief of Staff Raymond Valadez framed the problem in a communique last week. "Our office is continuing to get requests to remove tree pit fences to allow for more sidewalk cafe space. We need to meet as a community to discuss sidewalk cafe regulations in general and to come to a consensus on what is acceptable regarding these tree pit fences on Division Street.

"I know I'm not the only person with decided opinions on what is "acceptable" regarding these trees and their fences. The East Village Association has a long and continuing interest in protecting our urban forest, and is working with Natural Path Urban Forestry on an inventory of the street trees in the area. One goal of this work is to prepare for the attrition the emerald ash borer will cause; the only unknown about this decimation is how fast it will occur. EVA wants to be in a strong position to lobby for replacements.

The Wicker Park/Bucktown Special Service Area #33 identified "improving the urban forest" as a specific directive in their community-developed award-winning master plan, which also identified "greenifying" as an overall goal for the area. Funding for tree care is a consistent line item in the budget, last year they invested over $125K with Christy Webber Landscapes and Bartlett Tree Experts on maintenance and arborist care. They also commissioned an inventory of trees in their service area, which values this resource as a whopping $2.2 million, and developed a comprehensive multi-year care plan that is already having an impact.

These tough economic times mean that the City's budget for the Bureau of Forestry is much reduced, so new tree plantings, even to replace dead trees, aren't happening at the pace it should be. But the city's party line on trees is clear, just check out the Chicago Tree Initiative. The importance of trees is a core value for our city. The official motto "Urbs in horto" shows that the commitment to greening is nothing new.

So, with all due respect to the importance of community consensus, there seems to be fairly solid support for protecting trees. And they do need protecting. Street trees live in an inhospitable environment, with an average life span 32 years, compared to 150 years in a rural environment. The health and longevity of trees is directly related to the size of the area available to their roots. The root area also needs to be protected from compaction, which is why tree grates were formerly used (though this policy is no longer followed). A better option is a fence, since it protects trees from other damage like car doors and bike locks.

I suppose I should see the fact that sidewalk café owners are asking the alderman about altering the tree pits as progress of sorts.  In years past, building owners just did what they pleased with trees in front of their businesses. I've seen trees disappear and their pits paved over, without consequences. I've seen pits resized, leaving an arable root space of less than two square feet. The most recent "improvement" has been to put water permeable pavers over much of the root area. This allows the ground to be used (and compacted, to the detriment of the tree).

It's also worth noting that trees are good for business. Research shows that areas with high-quality streetscapes are more attractive to customers, with increases in foot traffic of 20 to40%. This same research cautions that "merchants may overlook the indirect and long-term benefits of a quality urban forest", and advises against letting these short-term interests effect policy.

Thus I wonder - why is any taking of public space that is devoted to trees, and the consequent damage it will do, even being considered? Trees are valuable public resources that work 24 hours a day in obvious and not so obvious ways for the common good. Unlike many infrastructure investments, they become more valuable as they age... if they are allowed to do so. However, they cannot speak up for themselves. Perhaps, if you care about this issue, you'd like to speak for them. If so, now would be a great time.

Other reading:  Shading our cities: a resource guide for urban and community forests, by Gary Moll and Sara Ebenreck

For more information: Community Economics , Benefits of Urban Trees