During road construction and resurfacing projects, roads are often built right up to the trunk of roadside trees. Although guidelines commonly require leaving an open circular soil area around trees to allow water infiltration, air exchange, and root growth, this practice is frequently ignored.
When concrete, asphalt, or paving blocks completely surround the tree trunk, rainwater cannot easily reach the roots, soil aeration is reduced, and the tree gradually becomes stressed. Over time, this can weaken trees, reduce their lifespan, increase the risk of falling during storms, and diminish urban greenery.
This problem is often overlooked because the tree remains standing for years before visible damage appears.I observed that many roadside trees are completely surrounded by asphalt or concrete after road construction. The required open soil space around the trunk is missing. While the road looks neat, the tree loses access to natural rainwater and soil aeration, which may weaken it over time.