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Since North Park Main Street’s arrival in 1996,
there have been over 200 trees planted in downtown North Park along
University Avenue, 30th Street, North Park Way, and Ray Street.
Trees were obtained from a variety of sources including Livable
Neighborhoods, the North Park Maintenance Assessment District, and
Community Development Block Grant funds.
Over the years, we have planted a number of
different tree species to create a more interesting pedestrian environment
in downtown North Park. Some
tree species have actually done very well in our challenging North Park
soils, which are 8-10 feet of clay in some places.
Here is a highlight of some of our favorite trees.
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Chinese Flame Tree (Koelreuteria
bipinnata): Chosen
for a good portion of the business district, Chinese Flame Trees can
grow up to forty feet in height.
From June to August, the Flame Tree canopy is coated with
bright yellow flowers, and in autumn the leaves turn yellow,
pleasantly adding more color to the neighborhood.
The trees in North Park have grown very quickly and are doing
extremely well in our harsh soils.
You can find Chinese Flame Trees on University Avenue between
Texas and Boundary, and along 30th Street.
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Hong Kong Orchid Tree (Bauhinia
blakeana): It
is the beautiful display of orchid-like blooms that make the Hong Kong
Orchid Tree so spectacular. The
large six-inch blossoms appear in multiple shades of purple, rose, and
pink during the summer, autumn and winter months.
The trees have done very well in North Park.
You can find Hong Kong Orchid Trees mostly along North Park
Way, interspersed with other species.
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Raywood Ash Tree (Fraxinus oxycarpa): A member
of the Olive family, Raywood Ash Trees have very finely textured
leaves and a moderate stature. The
lacy foliage is a dark lustrous green through the summer months.
In autumn, the leaves turn a brilliant purplish-red, the
calling card for which this tree is prized.
There are two Raywood Ash Trees on University Avenue between 29th
and Utah streets, but expect more soon.
A streetscaping project between Idaho and Granada will include
a number of these trees.
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Australian Willow Tree (Geijera
parviflora): The
Australian Willow is an attractive evergreen tree with an upright,
oval silhouette. The
thin, 3- to 6-inch-long olive green leaves droop from the branches,
giving the Australian Willow Tree much the same effect as a Weeping
Willow. You’ll find
these trees on University Avenue between Texas and Utah streets, and
on some of the side streets off University, including Utah Street.
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Merchants often have concerns about trees being
planted in business districts, the three most common concerns that
merchants have are:
- Trees blocking signs
- Trees blocking display windows
- Trees blocking loading areas
Species of trees in North Park have been selected with
the concerns of the merchants in mind.
Trees are selected based upon the canopy height, shape and density
so that they will not block signs and display windows.
Trees were also placed thirty feet apart so as not to block loading
areas.
Read our publication:
Benefits
of Trees in Business Districts (PDF) for more information about trees
in older commercial districts. |
