Is it possible to reduce the temperatire in the cities by planting trees between parking spaces?

Question

In those huge parking lots where there´s nothing but asphalt and concrete so it gets too hot in those areas...

Answer 1

Yes, that would reduce the temperature by reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses and also by producing shade when the trees got large enough to do so. That is a wonderful idea! That would also beautify the urban landscape.

Answer 2

It would make things more pleasant looking but it's not really practical.
A whole city won't experience any heat difference as a result of this small-scale measure, the cause of warming is a lot bigger than this. Also, the problem of getting water to the roots in that asphalted area would be tough and any trees would diminish the available parking space.

Answer 3

Tree absorb heat in the day and release it at night ,forests are enormous climate regulators,
one only has to walk in a forest to become aware of that .

However in cities we cannot plant forests we can only plant single trees ,Trees make their soil by the leaves they discard so we need to plant them at least in a space that is as big as its crown ,and this becomes wider with time .

If only the pole has a hole for its foot ,one must realize that underneath the space needed for the roots is as least as big if not bigger than the whole crown.And we must supplement its nourishment if we deny the tree the dead leaves .
So it is very possible ,but not with out problems,if planted in spaces that are in reality too small.

One has to be very careful which trees some produce a lot of dead leaves ,and people complain about the maintenance,some when they get old drop branches and wreck cars or the roots lift up the asphalt,

The theory is beautiful and i agree ,having worked in a municipality in the department of ecology,And we planted many trees on the roads ,but also had to sort out many problems caused by the trees.

In Mexico city are places with beautiful old trees ,but the trees branches have cause accidents and the roots have broken the road open ,to the dismay of the public who objected, many of the trees were removed .

If there were strips of garden between parking spaces ,the width of the trees crown it would be more practical but also take away much parking space.
it is hard to please everybody at the same time .
Another way would be to have flat roofs with gardens on top, this would cool the place down and also put green into the cities, with out interfering with the busy goings on below .

There are also other ways to use plants to cool down places such as trellises and vines ,vines with red leaves absorb the most heat .And one could cover a parking lot with overhead vines ,this would be a pleasure to get into a cool car instead of red hot seats .

Vines can grow on walls as well.
Some people may complain about the life that goes with vines such as insects ,but they sure cool buildings down,

If you plant passion fruit it will rain passion fruit Grapes need very strong supports as they get to be very heavy if they are allowed to keep growing.

All these wonderful ideas also means more work and so more jobs to look after the place .

In some places this may be an advantage ,providing more employment ,in other places a chore that the municipality cannot afford ,or does not have the man power for.
This is what happened where i was .

Answer 4

Trees do not produce methane animals do!
About your question. Check out the million tree program in L.A. They estimate that they can reduce their energy consumption by 20% just by planting canopy trees. It will take the trees a while to get big enough to help them, but it should be an interesting thing to watch.
I live in Indiana and when the insurance company made me remove the two large maple trees in my backyard because a limb fell on my roof, I had to buy central air. The average temp. in my house went up about 15 to 20 degrees in the summer. This has cost me and extra 75 dollars a month in electricity and my backyard is now an oven, not the cool shady oasis it was. Drat.
Just looked it up and plants can produce methane, but I bet a tree makes less methane than my Uncle Budy, they also make oxygen instead of CO and looks prettier too. Mmm, but you can stand in his shade.

Answer 5

A qualified yes.

Hardscape in cities is a factor in local weather, but it would take a concerted effort in the general region before this approach would produce any tangible results. Research has shown that urban efforts such as painting rooftops white or planting more trees can help reduce the impact of natural disasters.

I've worked with a local chapter of Global Releaf. The program has been up and running for awhile now, and has been quietly working to green up urban areas. The city where I live boasts of being a "Tree City U.S.A.," and while the program isn't perfect it's a positive step toward mitigating the effects of hardscape and climate change.

Answer 6

One thing that's causing the HEAT is the reflection of the sun's rays off the cement and asphalt, not necessarily the greenhouse gases created by cars and such (although those are no good, either!). Trees would help to add shade, which would lessen the felt effect in those areas, but it wouldn't really lower the temp. significantly as a whole.

Answer 7

No. First of all how would they get water with all that asphalt on their roots. The only way you could do it is to have adequate sized planting beds for them and that would take away from your precious parking capacity. Plus contrary to popular belief, most good trees don't like all that smog. Just like other living things, they do better with fresh air.

Answer 8

no, because the heat island effect as it is called is the whole amount of cement, asphalt all parts of major buildings collect heat and then store and radiate it....thus in cities the climate is warmer, muggier than in the country side. planting trees would not make a significant enough impact to justify the means....also where would all the extra needed water come from? its not possible in major urban centers such as new york

Answer 9

Absolutely, I've read in New Scientist and Scientific American, that covering a building in Ivy or having a turf roof can massively save on air-conditioning and heating. Also the driveways that are replacing front gardens can increase the risk of flash flooding as the water is not held back in a rain storm.

Answer 10

Yes! I see they have planted trees all along the walkways between buildings in downtown San Jose, Calif. Very nice! I'm sure other towns are catching on too.