Page 36 - Intra Muros October Issue 2024

ESTATE NEWS

Street trees so that trees could be planted even on Aesthetics
We are lucky in Silver Lakes to have some the sidewalks and pavements of not yet There are many articles about the
amazing streetscapes, where trees as old developed stands. Those of us lucky enough importance of an aesthetically pleasing
as Silver Lakes’ existence cover streets from to live in one of the older streets with tree environment, especially regarding
side to side, creating a shady, welcoming canopies creating shade and coolness will streetscapes for homeowners when
canopy. know how much of a homely effect these buying and selling properties.
trees create.
As you all know, the removal of existing As mentioned, the urban design quality
street trees in Silver Lakes is prohibited We still have such a tree-planting of streets affects how urban residents
and is strictly against our rules – even if it programme. This includes several trees behave and includes factors like
was planted by you or a previous owner. If that need replacement, but we do not ‘just walkability, bike-ability, pedestrian route
you have such a tree that needs attention, remove’. These trees are only removed choices, perceived thermal comfort,
trimming or other remedial measures are after careful consideration. For instance, a walking comfort, and willingness to pay.
suggested. The Environmental Director and new tree must have been planted near the
his team of committees are trying to create tree needing removal in order to replace Many studies have found that a housing
that ‘welcoming canopy’ feel for the whole the look and feel of shade when the tree is price premium can be attributed to
of Silver Lakes. This forms part of the aim to being removed. better street environments. These
create and enhance the ‘walkability’ factor include:
for our streets. This ‘new tree’ is either a tree that has - Studies by Donovan and Butry, the
been planted many seasons ago as part British Office of National Statistics
It takes time, patience and care from our of the tree-planting programme, or a new, and the US Forest Service. They found
gardening team to nurture these trees and large (at least 200 metres) tree. that properties with street trees
ensure they become healthy specimens, can increase in value by three to 15
grow to full capacity and create our So, the environmental teams not only try to percent, and that buyers are often
amazing streetscapes. This tree-planting keep the estate tidy through maintenance, willing to pay more for homes in
programme was initiated by the original which is the first step for an aesthetically neighbourhoods with abundant trees.
developers of the estate. pleasing environment, but they also enforce - Research by Redfin analysed the
our rules and programmes to develop this impact of walkability (pavement
The first stands sold by Ampros were aesthetically pleasing environment we all safety, space and sizes) on home
levied with a sidewalk or ‘street tree levy’ call home. prices, concluding that walkability

34 | INTRAMUROS OCTOBER 2024