According to the Los Angeles Times, the sunny city of Phoenix, Arizona might become a little cooler, as the city develops a plan to give 25% of the city a tree canopy by 2030. Currently, the city has about half as much shade.
The city plans to use a mix of steel 'trees', native plants like mesquite and palo brea, and non-natives that have proved tough enough to weather the grueling heat. Already known for its high temperatures, Phoenix is trying to prepare for even hotter temperatures as global warming heats the planet up.
The plan is intended to do more than just make for more pleasant strolls. "Aesthetically, it’s quite pleasing," notes forestry supervisor, Richard Atkins. "It can bring commerce to any business that had it out front because, you know, people are drawn to nice vegetation and shade."
For more news from the hot and dry American Southwest, check out these links:
2 Comments
steel trees get really cool when it's 110 F.
Growing up in Phoenix I remember big groves or orange or other citrus trees with the lower part of their trunks painted white. It looked cool. And orange trees provide dense shade, but I think also suck up a lot of water.
Mesquite shade is nice shade.
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