New Years - New Urban Trees?

Landscaping impacts suburban Downtown projects - and size really does matter.The relative scale of trees and plantings makes a big difference in the look and feel of main street building projects.  Many towns have embraced "new urban" concepts, but vary in their streetscape design requirements and implementation.  Overall, the municipal Code approach determines the success of the resulting image.  For example, in an established Evanston neighborhood shopping area (L. image), mature trees soften the density and perceived height of buildings.  By comparison, for newer shopping corridors e.g. in Lake County (R. image),  smaller new plantings are dwarfed by similar mixed use buildings (and future growth restricted by small planting pits).  These options reflect the character and values of our communities, so let's choose carefully for years ahead!