Miami Beach to cut back on famous palm trees over climate concerns
Richard Luscombe in Miami
Sun 28 Feb 2021 03.00 EST
?width=620&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=6326f134d852f8265d704a6070e22a4f
As a poster child for the climate emergency, Miami Beach has become a world leader in mitigating the effects of sea-level rise. Now the subtropical Florida city is cutting back on its famous swaying palm trees as it seeks shadier alternatives to preserve its environment and try to keep residents and visitors cool.
Officials have embarked on a 30-year plan to reduce the percentage of palm trees in the city to only one quarter of its total canopy by 2050, according to the Miami Herald. Currently, Arecaceae palms account for more than 55% of the city’s population of 48,900 trees.
The cutback is needed, the newspaper says, to reduce urban warming and improve air quality, and about 1,000 palm trees will be removed in the coming weeks as part of already scheduled construction projects.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/28/miami-beach-palm-trees-climate-change-cool
= new reply since forum marked as read
not just for carbon counts, which though overwhelmingly important can't be seen, but for other benefits, including beautification and the comforts of shade in what is a hellaciously hot climate much of the year. People will save big money on utility bills and also start walking streets many just wouldn't consider now. And softening and hiding Miami's typical architecture with lush foliage is going to be...no loss at all. To put it mildly.
In the end, fewer palms won't really be missed because they're so evocative and and distinctive that it doesn't take many to make their special statement. They're also often the only tree that can be planted in small areas, and even their minor shade is very welcome.
Btw, the real danger to palms is a disease, "lethal bronzing," that's killing millions. Removing many should if anything eventually help with this problem. Good, good, good all the way around.
Seems antithetical to cut down any trees these days.
