Year of publication 2009

The presence of trees in the city is taken for granted by many people and trees are generally an appreciated component of the urban environment. However, the living conditions for urban trees are often difficult. A number of aspects of growing conditions are different for trees in the city compared with trees in natural environments, e.g. microclimate and access to water, nutrients and air. Other factors are that trees in the city are difficult to maintain and are often subjected to damage, e.g. vehicle impacts, etc. The focus in this handbook is on describing how tree roots grow and develop in urban environments. Research has shown that soil conditions are of central importance for the establishment, development and survival of trees in the city. This handbook was produced on the initiative of the City of Stockholm through Björn Embrén (Traffic Department). The aim of the handbook is to communicate information, particularly to contractors, about conditions for urban trees. One of the specific objectives is to describe a technique for improving the growing conditions for trees. The handbook describes the principles of different operations, standard designs and methods for planting new trees and for plant bed renovation for trees in Stockholm.