Wall of Trees
On my way to the Barbecue Fest last Friday I noticed this growing wall of trees on Main between Beale and Peabody Place. Eventually they should be as tall as, if not taller than, the buildings behind them.
The trees are inexpensively creating architectural space where demolition and a surface parking lot removed it 40 years ago. The feeling of enclosure helps bridge the walking gap between the Orpheum and the buildings and businesses north of Peabody Place.
Unfortunately, this is the only side of the block square parking lot that has trees, as you can see looking down the Beale side towards the River.
Maybe planting trees in an urban pattern is not as good as building, but it is something we can do now all over the city to begin filling chronic gaps.
Labels: Main Street, Memphis, trees, urban design, urban planning, walkable
posted by gatesofmemphis at 7:55 AM
4 Comments:
Trees are some of Memphis's greatest aesthetic assets. I think utilizing them more in an urban planning capacity is a great idea.
It'd be nice if they could find some hardy evergreen trees to plant, so the effect would remain through all four seasons.
Scott, they're hundred dollar bills from heaven in these parts and we still treat them as nuisances.
Bruce, perhaps interestingly pruned magnolias (near-native). I don't know if I've ever seen them used as boulevard trees but that's what the streets of Memphis are for.
Thanks for commenting.
Just found your blog, enjoying digging through some of your posts.
I couldn’t agree more about the general need for more trees downtown – but especially this section of Beale could use some greenery. I see it all the time, but that Google street view really brings out the ugliness.
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