Dr. Nadina Galle • #InternetofNature

Here’s a number that should bother more people than it does: 50 mm 🌳

That’s the minimum tree size most Ontario cities require for street planting. We pay a premium for it because we want the canopy now.

But big trees lose more roots when they’re dug up, and they spend years catching up with themselves. Smaller trees often settle in faster, grow faster, and cost less at almost every step.

It’s not “plant tiny everywhere.” Too small and the mowers and deer 🦌 win. The better question is: what’s the smallest tree that will actually thrive on this site?

Honestly, it’s impatience dressed up as ambition. The small tree asks for patience up front and pays it back.

Ground Truth #5 is live, link in bio 🔗

Who should read this 👇
- City foresters and planners who write the specs.
- Developers and landscape architects working to them.
- Nurseries and contractors who grow and plant the stock.
- Councillors who approve the budgets.
- And anyone who’s ever asked why their new street tree looks so sad.

Audio inspired by @wesleylincolnr 💚

#UrbanForest #UrbanForestry #StreetTrees #UrbanTrees