Help me save our trees!!! Alternatives to concrete sidewalks?

Question

My townhome association management wants to cut down our 30 year old oak trees adjacent to the sidewalks around the pool. The sidewalks need to be replaced but HELP!! I need ideas for other kind of walkways! The trees have not damaged our patios, the cement decking around the pool, or the pool itself. This area has little to no soil and is not a good candidate for the grass they want to put in. The trees shade the west side of my house in the summer and they are really beautiful, huge, healthy oak trees (mostly white oak). I need some ideas either for safe walkways or how to save the trees!!

Answer 1

I think its great that you appreciate what those trees do for the area around them.  Brick or concrete pavers will last a very long time, allow rain to flow through them, and will still allow bare feet to traverse them.  What I think is important to consider is the use:  the pool will be used by individuals that will most likely have bare feet and will be wet.  The moisture rules out natural decking (which would also involve large amounts of upkeep) leaving new polymer plastic decking available at places like Lowe's or Home Depot but to be honest I don't know how much that would cost.  I would honestly consider cobbles or bricks because it will allow the roots of the oaks to grow and in the future could ease maintenance.

Something else to think about,  is it possible that even though the trees are not harming the pool that they are polluting the water with their leaves?  I don't know how close the trees are to the pool but I just thought it might be something you might also need to address to change their minds.

Also, to help you in addressing the managers are doing this either because a)cost b)workload or c)they just don't like you..

if it's a or b then approach them with an alternative plan already drawn up and tell them how your alternative plan will solve their problems.  Be sure to try to find other examples of success in a situation like this and use those examples to fortify your argument while also pointing out the important other positives to your plan.  Whether it be cost, ease of installation, long run land value increases (which are probably pretty big, this is a big deal to them) or even something as simple as a tax break that they may be eligible for through your municipality.

Answer 2

Are they nuts. Trees take forever to grow and help more than they ever hurt. Why not rip out the sidewalks and lay a bed of sand with flag stone walk on top. Or remove the sidewalks and put down simple gravel walks over plastic sheeting. OR put down wooden walks made of treated lumber.

Do your neighbors not know that everybody and their dogs is attempting to save trees and to landscape without grass taht needs precious water and fertilzer.

How about a raised wooden deck built around or against the trees with access via a step or two in any direction needed. A deck could be an asset to the area.

Answer 3

Oaks don't tolerate grade changes or root damage well, so I'd replace the damaged sidewalk with the same or with compacted gravel, preferably something like decomposed granite (an excellent choice for footing that also helps increase soil moisture and decrease flooding).

See if your library has a copy of Gene Rothert's book, Enabling Garden -- it has a number of good suggestions for walkways that offer solid footing but work well for plants and people.

As for the grass -- well, there are plenty of groundcovers that can tolerate dry shade.  Or (my goodness!) they could get creative and put in a few planters and a little irrigation for them.  (Lawns are a testimony to conspicuous consumption, imo.)

And don't forget to point out that this action will increase your a/c bills significantly, thus lowering the value of your home.  Not to mention lowering the landscape value.  http://www.treesaregood.org/treecare/tre...

Does your town have a city forester?  They can often be your allies in fights like this.

Answer 4

Decomposed Granite is a walkway that is eco friendly. It provides a good walking surface. Our local park uses it for the jogging and walking paths. Water soaks through it so it won't interfere with trees like concrete walkways. It was once commonly used in high school and college running tracks, before recycled tires became common for that purpose. I've even seen it used for the infields of high school baseball diamonds.