Experts against cemented structures around trees

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 8

Cemented structures or paver blocks around trees could damage the tree by restricting the growth of their roots, which increases the risk of their being uprooted.

LR Budaniya, an environmentalist, said all concrete structures around trees must be removed so that they could get the required amount of air and water to remain healthy. He said concrete boundaries around trees weaken the roots, which could eventually damage the tree.

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In an attempt to beautify the area around the tree, a cemented structure is constructed around the tree. Budaniya said the tree, which had weathered several storms, could fall after the cemented structure was built around it. When the structure was constructed, its girth was less. With the passage of time, it grew in circumference and there was hardly any space left between the structure and the trunk.

‘Roots need breathing space’

The roots of a tree need breathing space and place to grow. Cemented structures close to the tree trunk can choke its roots. A tree needs an open space of nearly 3 feet around its trunk. —LR Budaniya, Environmentalist

He said cement structures did not allow the roots of the tree to grow, which could lead to its fall. The cemented structures or paver blocks around the tree stunted the growth of the roots.

He said if clay was used instead of cement, roots could grow at their natural pace and other risk to the plant could be minimised. Moreover, rainwater could also seep into the soil.

Rajnish Wattas, a former principal of the Chandigarh College of Architecture, said the roots of the tree should not be exposed. The roots should be well covered with earth and the rainwater should reach the roots regularly. If concrete structure was constructed around the tree, there would not be infiltration of rainwater and the roots could die with the passage of time.

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