Existing projects
Poplar roof/urban forestry methods/techniques
Also I would look forward to a regional or peri-urban cooperative that implies only necessary stakeholders and participants! Any suggestions/projects/reseaches known/to be made?
Hi Felix,
Interesting question about poplar production in city areas and rooftops. I think this is theoretically possible, if you have an identified potential market/use for the harvested product that would make it worthwhile. Hybrid poplars are easy to grow and have excellent survivability, if you have an appropriate variety for your location. Here is a list of some thoughts, which I hope may be helpful:
1) I would choose varieties that do not produce much pollen, to avoid becoming a nuisance to the neighbors because of pollen allergies and wind-blown debris. Similarly, some varieties produce many suckers (sprouts from ground), while others do not, so you can decide if this is a desirable trait or not in your situation.
2) We have had good success with Populus deltoides x P. nigra crosses, which you may be able to order from a European or US grower (as small sticks). Be sure to explore the best varieties for your region.
3) Will you have some sort of irrigation system? They will grow faster with good irrigation, such as drip irrigation (which is not very expensive, and can be done from a water tank that is a few feet higher than the plant bed area).
4) Look around for potential markets. Poplar wood can be used for handicrafts (art), and for filtering (mats), as well as for charcoal/biochar and paper. It is a light-weight wood that can be used as the interior of things such as snowboards (equipment for snow skiing).
5) Rooftop trees are an interesting idea. It depends I think on how windy it would be up there, and the ease of disposing/removing/re-incorporating prunings from up there.
6) On this note, will you be pruning the trees or letting them get really stemmy (multiple stems)? Trimming them helps to create a taller uniform tree, but takes a lot of work.
These are just some ideas/thoughts. I like to see interest in rooftop gardening/forestry.
Best,
Sam Allen
Hey Sam,
thx for the good thoughts/infos concerning my question. I will talk with my professors about it and give you a feedback.
Yes it would be possible. The usual issues with roof greening will apply:
Load capacity of the roof structure
Waterproof protection from roots (root barrier)
Safe access
Loading and unloading materials (goods lift etc)
Irrigation
Usually, however, people go for high value crops
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