We're seeing increased use and installation of these rain gardens and ponds here in Northern Virginia in response to the extensive paved surfaces in this heavily developed suburb of Washington DC. An added action here is that the County government has even bought a small number of existing (usually older model) homes and removed the buildings, returning the plot to some semblance of 'nature'. Usually, these were plots of land subjected in the past to localized flooding (easy to explain if you visit and examine the topography) - empty of housing and pavement, the theory seems to be that they will absorb more of the water in heavy rains.
That sounds like a great initiative. I can't imagine councils buying land and removing housing here in the UK, but much more depaving could be achieved I think.
Thanks for the links Ewan. I did see quite a few really great planting schemes in the centre of Sheffield, I particularly liked the parklet(?) between Furnival Gate and Wellington Street. Looks like there's lots of good stuff going on.
Everywhere one travels, pines are neglected as street trees. This is an arboreal injustice says I! Mass demonstrations of pine-lovers should be called. No Pines No Peace! Power to the Pines! We Pine for Pines! What do we want? Pines! When do we want them? Now!
I see our movement growing and eventually there shall be a Pine Minister at 10 Downing if I'm not mistaken!
It’s odd isn’t it, I remember the arbor lecturer at college commenting on the failure to include pines and other evergreens as street trees. His theory was that deciduous trees were more popular as brighter in winter than coniferous but when quizzing councils about why not pines, he was met with the usual shrug of That's what we’ve always done and brick wall reluctance to change because it might be more expensive/less popular/not work out. Introducing them in swales and areas with more space than immediately by houses might be a way in for them.
I have a hunch that resistance to new ideas is the most likely cause of un-pined avenues. In the London Borough of Hackney, where very adventurous planting has been going on for years, there are more pines than other areas, but still not very many. More of those in a future post!
I’m sure you’re right, having spent much of yesterday trying to convince councils of the many merits of a path surface, well tried and tested with excellent results over twenty years, but that’s dismissed to retain their comfort zone of a century with tarmac.
We're seeing increased use and installation of these rain gardens and ponds here in Northern Virginia in response to the extensive paved surfaces in this heavily developed suburb of Washington DC. An added action here is that the County government has even bought a small number of existing (usually older model) homes and removed the buildings, returning the plot to some semblance of 'nature'. Usually, these were plots of land subjected in the past to localized flooding (easy to explain if you visit and examine the topography) - empty of housing and pavement, the theory seems to be that they will absorb more of the water in heavy rains.
That sounds like a great initiative. I can't imagine councils buying land and removing housing here in the UK, but much more depaving could be achieved I think.
Did you see any of this scheme during your visit? A response to recent flooding in Sheffield.
https://www.greytogreen.org.uk/
SuDS works in my local park have just finished too.
https://greenestate.org.uk/sustainable-urban-drainage-scheme-suds-work-in-manor-fields-park/
Thanks for the links Ewan. I did see quite a few really great planting schemes in the centre of Sheffield, I particularly liked the parklet(?) between Furnival Gate and Wellington Street. Looks like there's lots of good stuff going on.
Everywhere one travels, pines are neglected as street trees. This is an arboreal injustice says I! Mass demonstrations of pine-lovers should be called. No Pines No Peace! Power to the Pines! We Pine for Pines! What do we want? Pines! When do we want them? Now!
I see our movement growing and eventually there shall be a Pine Minister at 10 Downing if I'm not mistaken!
My, this sherry packs a whallop!
Pine sherry casks no doubt!
I've downed a tun or two. Now I'm in hospital!
It’s odd isn’t it, I remember the arbor lecturer at college commenting on the failure to include pines and other evergreens as street trees. His theory was that deciduous trees were more popular as brighter in winter than coniferous but when quizzing councils about why not pines, he was met with the usual shrug of That's what we’ve always done and brick wall reluctance to change because it might be more expensive/less popular/not work out. Introducing them in swales and areas with more space than immediately by houses might be a way in for them.
I have a hunch that resistance to new ideas is the most likely cause of un-pined avenues. In the London Borough of Hackney, where very adventurous planting has been going on for years, there are more pines than other areas, but still not very many. More of those in a future post!
I’m sure you’re right, having spent much of yesterday trying to convince councils of the many merits of a path surface, well tried and tested with excellent results over twenty years, but that’s dismissed to retain their comfort zone of a century with tarmac.
Good for Hackney!