The main causes of the devastation: species poorly adapted to the city; excessive pruning preventing their growth, undersized tree pits or deficient rooting to the ground. A sort of natural selection, of which the experts had pre-warned, as a result of haphazard seeding prioritising aesthetics, fast growth and the ability to provide shade.
When Storm Filomena hit, both evergreen and deciduous species were affected, either due to their inability to support the weight of the snow that accumulated on their crown or because they collapsed under the excess weight on their branches. A misfortune that highlighted the need to design and study planting locations more accurately and be familiar with the morphology, physiology and properties of the plants. All with the goal of assessing their suitability and maximising their development and long-term survival in the hostile environment that is the city.
The urban forest, a fundamental part of the green infrastructure, provides a series of services that increase with the size and age of the trees. Of their contributions towards resolving environmental, social and economic problems we would highlight their ability to absorb greenhouse gases (CO2) and their role as carbon sinks, i.e., they act as natural carbon stores. At the same time, they produce oxygen, purify the air and contribute to conserving biodiversity. They refresh the atmosphere, reducing the temperature and the heat island effect, an alarming thermal phenomenon that occurs in urban nuclei where the heat accumulates intensely, and the electrical consumption of the buildings.
A study conducted by the City Council of Madrid in 2018 quantified the beneficial effects of woodland, which included clear savings in health care thanks to cleaner air. In particular, the research underlines the work of three species in the capturing of pollution: the stone pine, the London plane and the holm oak
However, efforts should not necessarily focus on increasing the number of trees but rather on making better decisions and reducing risk. Aspiring towards a balance between their services and requirements, without losing sight of the landscaping criteria.
In defence of more informed reflection for the choice of urban architecture, through the Belloch Standards, Belloch Forestal promotes a selection of 40 species that are optimum for use in the city. The standards offer an appropriate repertoire of species for the Mediterranean climate, identifying their properties and requirements, and the necessary dedication and maintenance.
Planting good quality trees specifically selected for the urban functions constitutes the best guarantee to optimise the generation of social and environmental benefits and minimise management and maintenance costs. And no less important, so the trees do not suffer and are better cared for and adapted to their surroundings, the health of their root system must be taken into account, given that the quality of their roots is closely linked to that of their upper part.
At Belloch, we cultivate trees that are destined to be planted in the city. Whilst the traditional cultivations lead to deformities and shortened roots, cultivation in Air-Pots® is an innovative method whereby spiralling, one of the main causes of the risk of falling of trees, is avoided. Amongst other advantages, in addition to incorporating a healthy, complete root structure for transplantation, it allows a faster implantation process with better growth rates.
With the Air-Pot® system, the morphology of the recipient channels the roots towards the holes where the increased air dehydrates the tip stimulating root ramification and maximising their capacity to absorb nutrients, water and oxygen. Each new root follows the same path towards the air hole and the process repeats. In this way, the plant rapidly develops a large mass of fibrous roots. The recipients, made from high-density, recycled polyurethane, are also reusable, so they don’t generate any waste.
Healthy, quality roots are synonymous with better-developed trees. That’s why we are proud to announce that Belloch Forestal is Spain’s largest nursery specialising in the Air-Pot® system, providing solutions for reasoned, sustainable urban forestry.
