Landscape Architect Articles

LASN July 2010 Ordinance: Bad Trees, Trees Prohibited by Code, Part I07-26-10 | News

Bad Trees, Trees Prohibited by Code, Part I

By Buck Abbey, ASLA & Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture Louisiana State University

The Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky code lists 32 species of prohibited plants, many for their ?EUR??,,????'?????<

?EUR??,,????'?????<A tree that looks at God all day, and lifts her leafy arms to pray.?EUR??,,????'?????<
Alfred Joyce Kilmer 1886-1918

Tree Regulations
Alfred Joyce Kilmer believed that every tree had merit. We love trees because they provide shade, nurture the environment and adorn our gardens. But we hate them for different reasons. The most common being that trees can be travelers and can end up in places they are not wanted. When they show up, they are often rejected, stigmatized and prohibited!

Unwanted species are labeled ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Albuquerque, New Mexico prefers female trees since the male tree is largely responsible for wind-driven pollen counts. The community identified several genera of ?EUR??,,????'?????< Photo: LASN Editor Stephen Kelly

Prohibited species are unwanted plants in a community for a number of reasons. Affronts to humankind may be of the tree?EUR??,,????'?????<

Character flaws are generally noted in tree legislation. Flaws capable of banishing a tree may come from several aspects of a plant?EUR??,,????'?????<

Miami-Dade County, Fla. identifies species of trees that cannot be planted in the county, including Casuarina (ironwood). The county may not like it, but C. oligodon, is a good building timber and makes excellent firewood. The tree's root nodules are prized for increasing soil fertility and its leaves are prized for mulch (high in nitrogen content). The resin exuded from some casuarinas is edible and was a food source for Aboriginal people.

Making the List
The Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky code (chapter 10, ?EUR??,,????'?????<Diospyros, Ginkgo, Gymnocladus, Malus, Moros, Maclura and Pyrus.

Albuquerque, New Mexico actually prefer female trees since it is the male tree that is largely responsible for offending wind-driven pollen counts, which is the bane of air quality in this western community. The community identified several genera of Bad Trees in Section 9-12-5 Regulated Trees of the community code. Trees in the family Cupressaceae and Moraceae are the biggest offenders. Restrictions are placed on other trees also, including juniper, cedar, cottonwood, poplar, sycamore, ash and elm. Prohibited trees may not be purchased outside the city and transported within to plant.

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Trees
by Alfred Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918)

Note: Kilmer was an American journalist, poet, literary critic, lecturer, editor and ?EUR??,,????'?????<

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.