Tree and sidewalk design solutions

The idea is to create a system that can accommodate tree roots while minimizing damage to the infrastucture. Listed below are some suggestions and solutions that have worked for communities. Remember that sidewalks settle, rise, and crack for a variety of reasons including soil characteristics, freezing and thawing cycles, inappropriate installation, tree roots, and age. Many concrete sidewalks are only meant to last about 25 years so they deteriorate with or without trees. Sydnor et al. (2003) showed this in a survey on street trees in Ohio.

New construction solutions	Refurbishing solutions
appropriate sized tree pits alternative sub-base material tree grates tree grate alternatives channeling roots cluster planting elevated sidewalks root barriers crushed granite street light/wire location increase distance increase width alternate surface material pavers on sand engineered soil reinforced concrete	root cutting ramp up to risen surface asphalt over roots reroute sidewalk slabjacking rock dust bridging design around tree cobblestones and pavers over sand reinforced concrete