Of Streets and Trees

CEBU, Philippines- The cutting of century-old trees along the roads going to the southern part of Cebu province is currently a hotly debated public issue. Government agencies insist that the old trees pose danger to motorists as well as nearby residents. Road widening projects in several municipalities supposedly also require getting rid of roadside trees.

Indeed, progress has spread out to the neighboring cities and municipalities of urban Cebu. In the process, infrastructures of which roads are part have to be put in place. While it may be a sad thing to let go of the trees, it is inevitable.

Trees, as we know, are very important. They provide people with wood, paper and other such essential things. They also give shade from the scorching heat of the sun.

Trees along the streets are a refreshing view and provide motorists and commuters certain benefits. For instance, they filter off toxic substances from vehicular fumes, partly cleansing the air.  In the developed countries of the world, trees are a common feature in urban centers.

In an article titled "Benefits of Urban Street Trees" by Dan Burden, tree placement in streets and roads is considered good science. Although care and preservation of the trees is a costly task, the value in returned benefits is so much that a sustainable community cannot be possible without these vital green features. The benefits of trees by the road and street sides include:

1.) Trees create safer walking environments, by forming "visual walls" and providing divergent edges to sidewalks so that motorists better distinguish between their exclusive environment and one shared with people. If a motorist were to significantly go wrong in his driving, trees help ward off or fully stop the vehicle from taking a human life.

2.) Trees add significantly to aesthetics. The standing greens divide motorists from one another, pedestrians, buildings and other urban fabric. They create a more pleasant walking environment, bringing about increased walking activities and social interaction among people in business establishments, homes and neighborhoods close to green open spaces.

3.) Trees absorb most precipitation through their leaf system, better allowing evaporation back into the atmosphere. This moisture never hits the ground. A percentage of precipitation is channeled back to the ground as it is taken in and held onto by the root structure, then absorbed and then let off back to the air. Some of the water seeps deep into the ground and into the aquifer. Excess water from storms and the probability of flooding to urban properties is reduced, thus causing less inconvenience and loss.

4.) Trees provide skin protection from the rain, sun, and ambient heat. In cities with good tree covers, there is less need for chemical sun-blocking agents. Temperature differentials of 5 to15 degrees are felt when walking under tree canopied streets.

5.) Trees by the street sides, as mentioned earlier, help suck in toxic substances, reducing possible harm to people. Vehicular exhausts are a major public health concern as it contains significant pollutants, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and harmful substances.

Kathlene Wolf, Social Science Ph.D. of the University of Washington made a study on the benefits of trees on human behavior and health. She noted that trees have a calming and healing effect on ADHD adults and teens. The study revealed that people who are exposed to trees have reduced blood pressure, as well as improved overall emotional and psychological health.

The study also found that trees help reduce road rage. Although this may seem like an exaggeration, there is strong, persuasive suggestion that motorist road rage is less in green urban versus barren suburban areas. Trees and aesthetics were earlier known to reduce blood pressure, and the green vistas may be partly responsible for the calming effect on motorists.

6.) Trees also make pavement life longer because it is not directly exposed to the      elements. Studies conducted in a variety of California environments show that the shade of urban street trees can add from 40 to 60 percent more life to costly asphalt. This is due to reduced daily heating and cooling (expansion and contraction) of asphalt.

7.) Trees provide shelter to living creatures, even to man. It's a common sight to see people resting or taking a nap under the shade of a tree during break time. Some people who doesn't have a place to stay take refuge in trees.

The John Paul II Avenue in Cebu City's barangay Mabolo, Osmena Boulevard, portions of N. Bacalso Avenue, the Cebu Business Park, the Asiatown  IT Park, the Mactan Airport Road in Lapulapu City, the S. Ouano Avenue in Mandaue City are proof of how refreshing to the senses trees can be. They are like the "green lungs" to urban Cebu.