Trees for avenues and near buildings

trees next to buildings

There are many things to consider when planting trees next to buildings and along roads or avenues. This is a non-exhaustive list of tree species that I recommend for our region (Auroville, India) in the typical laterite or black cotton soil. This is an evolving list.

General species selection criteria:

  • Not prone to structural failure
  • Drought resistant
  • No dangerous fruit (falling risk-wise and also poisonous plants taken into account)
  • Ideally with interesting features (bark, leaves, flowers, shape, fruit etc…)
  • No buttress or superficial roots (surface roots that would disturb pavement, hinder traffic)
  • Little mess in terms of fruits, flowers, foliage (apart from fruit trees)
  • Important for local ecology

Large evergreen trees to be used as shade for houses or avenues

Medium evergreen trees to shade houses and smaller roads

Evergreen fruit trees and shrubs

  • Mango tree, Mangifera indica
  • Jackfruit, Artocarpus heterophylla
  • Jamun, Syzygium cumini
  • Pitanga Berry, Eugenia uniflora

More ornamental trees (deciduous)

Shrubs (evergreen)

Please add comments to this list directly or in the more exhaustive spreadsheet. I am especially looking for more recommendations as the more diversity, the better.

Link to spreadsheet

In essence, it is better to plant for the long term to avoid conflicts between trees and buildings.

Thank you,

Island

Effects of Trees in Urban Spaces, Auroville, India

A presentation I gave providing a brief glimpse into the effects that trees have on our lives and surroundings in an urban setting.

Presentation starts at 3:30.

Recently, in urban settings, trees are being used more as green infrastructure providing ecosystem services rather than merely street furniture. This presentation illustrates some ways in which this applies.

This presentation uses examples from the U.S, the U.K. and from India, where I am based. It includes the positive and negative effects and ways to improve matters with existing trees as well as potential trees. It is based on experience and research from around the world.

This is relevant for architects, town planners, municipal corporations, engineers, landscapers and anybody interested in improving urban forests through arboriculture.