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Unpopular opinion: These new subdivision trees are a biodiversity nightmare.
I've been driving past all these new builds, and EVERY single one has the same handful of non-native ornamentals. It feels like we're missing a HUGE chance to support local ecosystems and make our towns more resilient. Are any of you pushing for more native species in your client consultations?
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derek_burns876mo ago
Yeah, that's the thing... it's not just about being messy. A white oak is a huge tree, it needs way more space than a crape myrtle. You can't just swap one for the other in a tiny front yard. The roots could wreck sidewalks and the shade would cover the whole house. They probably said no because it was the wrong plant for the spot, not just the leaves.
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lane.drew6mo ago
My buddy Mark in Oak Creek Estates tried to get the HOA to plant white oaks instead of those boring crape myrtles. He brought charts showing how one oak supports over 500 types of bugs and birds. They said it was too messy and went with the same Japanese maple every other lot has. He even offered to pay for the difference himself, but they refused. Now his street looks like a plastic model and he's pretty bummed about the lost chance.
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