Plant material booklet 2: wayside trees of Malaysia

Abstract

This book explains the significance of wayside trees in planning and designing living spaces for people as well as habitats for animals in urban environment. The explanation emphasizes the creation of diversified plant communities using native and adaptive tree species. The diversification of tree selection could generate the development of character and place identity for urban landuse types such as residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, and park and recreation. Futhermore, the planting of a variety of native trees would create sustainable habitats for urban wildlife, and thus allowing coexistence of wildlife in human living environment. The planting of various tree species serves three aspects: functional, ecological, and aesthetics. The degree of importance of these aspects varies from one human habitation type to another. For example, provision of shade and fruits is more important in residential area than in institutional ground which demands more aesthetic effects from the trees. In this book, ecological consideration is also emphasized to integrate the needs of human living with the needs of animals. This integration is correlated with the microclimatic factors of a place to draw physical benefits for human and animals. In addition, the form and size of tree canopies of heterogeneous planting create place identity to the human living environment. This identity leads to place attachment and positive feeling of people toward their communities. This book gives better insight on the importance of tree planting in urban living environtment.