Notice the planting space
A street tree grows within limits set by paving, soil, and nearby structures. Record the visible space without assuming that the whole root system is visible.
trees in built places / A closer look
The quiet art of trees in built places.
A notebook about the small pieces of nature woven into streets. Tree pits, wall plants, shade, and rain traces can be observed on an ordinary walk.
Open the notebookStudy 42Line / shape / observation
Three things worth noticing
A short reading collectionShade has a direction
A tree's shadow changes length and position through the day. A repeated view can show which parts of a pavement receive shade at different hours.
Plants find small openings
A crack or wall joint can hold a small growing space. Observe the moisture and light around it without pulling out the plant or disturbing the surface.
Off the page
A small field exercise
Walk one short block and sketch each visible planting space. Add a simple mark for shade and note where the ground surface allows water through. Keep the first attempt simple. A date and one honest observation are enough to begin.
About Urban Canopy
An independent collection of original notes on trees in built places.
Begin with an observation. Follow a detail, compare a small change, and keep a record you can return to. The illustrations are abstract studies, and the exercises are intended as starting points for your own observation.
How to use these pages
Read a short note, try the exercise at a comfortable pace, and record what you actually notice. Use a sketch or a few plain sentences. Revisit the same subject later and compare the two records. When a subject needs specialist guidance, use an appropriate primary reference.