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The core issue is not the utilities themselves but the dense compaction of the ground, which creates an inhospitable environment for trees
As urban areas expand globally, trees often fall victim to the relentless spread of concrete jungles. While some trees manage to survive amidst urban settings, many are eventually lost due to the demands of underground infrastructure necessary for modern life. Addressing this issue, TreeTube, an Israeli firm based in Ramat Gan, has created a novel way to help trees grow in cities despite competition from utility companies.
The core issue is not the utilities themselves but the dense compaction of the ground, which creates an inhospitable environment for trees. According to TreeTube co-founder Jonathan Antebi, construction projects prioritize roads, pavements, and buildings over green spaces, often leaving tree planting as an afterthought. Antebi warns that neglecting green spaces could have dire consequences for climate change in urban areas.
Trees require non-compacted soil, similar to forests, rather than the 98 percent compaction demanded by civil engineers. Consequently, over 30 percent of urban trees fail to grow within the first three to five years, and many do not survive beyond ten years. TreeTube, founded in 2019, was just selected as a winner of the MassChallenge Israel Early-Stage Accelerator Program, a four-month intensive course held in Jerusalem. The startup seeks further investment to expand its operations and bring the benefits of urban greenery to more locations.
Antebi emphasizes the critical role trees play in urban life, stressing that solutions like TreeTube are essential as climate change intensifies and the planet warms.
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