Rubber Sidewalks

Treelore

I am an advocate of pervious pavement Therrin was pointing out that rubber is only one in a long list of pervious pavement now out there and I think it must be taken on case by case. Silva cell is a fantastic product as with some of the grasscrete structures. suspended slabs are great because you don't have to disturb anything but just remember if you have surface roots you have a limited growing environment for the tree and this more often than not equals limited life span. The average lifespan in america of a street tree is less than fifteen years according to Graboskys' studies and that is something that requires serious attention. So the medium becomes very important for sustainability.

TreeDimensional

I am familiar with Dr. Gilman's study on cement sidewalks, and the different products that are being used to prevent structural damage to the concrete. Half way through the study it was pretty obvious that research will have to continue.

I think the rubber sidewalks are the least invasive to mature trees. Elevated walkways would be great also, however there are cost issues to this plan. I am a little concerned at the number Treelore put forward, of 15 years. There are huge trees in our urban centres that are 5-6 times that age. I believe, because of a statement that Dr. Coder made, that the welfare of a tree is proportionate to the resources available to it. There are soil, water and light issues with every street tree.

Lets think about this for a few seconds. What would happen to a street tree if we tore up the cement sidewalks, corrected the grade to allow for soil compaction (or divits), and layed a rubber sidewalk down. If the sheet of rubber was impervious to water and air, the only benefit would be to the users of the sidewalk. What if we layed a sheet of rubber down that had a pattern of holes manufactured into it. We accomplish the benefit to the users of the walkway, AND we give the tree a bit more recourse area to utilize the old impermiable area, and can now capture air AND water from under the sidewalk?

Done it

That's a very good idea. The pics I posted earlier where from a story about this site last year, I managed to find it.

HoldFast Rubber Highway

My original interest was in the use of recycled tyres, 354,000 per mile, maybe if the sidewalk was laid in a similar way with a breathing vent, it would work like your idea.