Properly maintained roadside trees improve air quality and beautify roadways. Whether trees’ canopies adversely affects pavement condition or motorist safety, however, has not been well understood.
Comparing shaded and unshaded road segments, researchers working with Ohio DOT did not find significant differences in the condition of pavements or in driver behavior/performance. They concluded that roadside trees should not be removed routinely, but instead individual trees and specific cases should be addressed.
Read the report: Effects of Tree Canopy on Pavement Condition, Safety and Maintenance – Phase 2, September 2020.
Image source: U.S. Department of Agriculture