Trees are known to be part of Nakuru's County beautification plans. These plans have seen the county government plant trees beside the busy roads and pavements.
Moreover, tree roots are a major part of these tall plants as they provide anchorage. They also provide water and mineral salts to the tree but did you know that despite their usefulness, they can still be a great source of destruction.
Why is there a conflict between trees and pavements? There definitely has to be an origin of these conflict and here are some of those reasons.
1. Water shortage
Trees extend their roots to greater depths and lengths, this is done to enable them to obtain water. Such adaptations occur when there is a water shortage. During these changes, the gigantic roots spread and cut through pavements hence ends up destroying the pavements by cracking them regardless of how perfectly they were made.
2. Pavements constructed near tall trees
When the roots start growing outwards, they will come into contact with the pavement. Their heaviness will create cracks and eventually break the pavement. Roots are known to be strong and pass through tough rocks and walls as the tree grows bigger. As they grow any obstacle will be broken which has been the same case for the Nakuru pavements.
3. Inadequate space at the Arboretum
Lack of land which would be used as an arboretum has forced the county government to end up planting trees near pavements and therefore this conflict sets off. Whether the tree was planted first or the road constructed was done first, the conflict will still occur.
To save the pavements, the county government needs to come up with other solutions of beautifying the pavements or else it will spend millions yearly in repairing them.