Tree Gardens have the power to transform urban spaces and enhance the quality of life in Gulf cities. Yet, despite their potential, they are often grossly underutilized in urban design.
One key aspect frequently overlooked—not only by developers but also by many landscape architects—is the fact that trees, and by extension, tree gardens, are not static elements in the landscape. As designers, we often fail to embrace the most powerful tool at our disposal: time.
This is what truly sets landscape architects apart from other built environment professionals. We work with living systems that grow, change, and evolve. As beautifully articulated in Julian Raxworthy’s book Overgrown, there is untapped potential in viewing time as a design opportunity, rather than a constraint. If we design with an understanding of natural processes, we will be better equipped to create higher-quality urban environments.
Tree gardens evolve through multiple stages of growth, from young saplings planted closely together to mature trees with high canopies. Yet, construction packages rarely account for these dynamic processes, such as the growth and development of tree gardens. Designing and documenting green spaces as though they were static, like buildings, oversimplifies the complexity of this approach. Perhaps this is why beautiful tree gardens have yet to become mainstream in this part of the world.
Stage 1
Seedlings planted at 1m centres
The trees at this stage are young and small, seedlings planted at 1 metre centres with thin, delicate trunks and sparse branching. Foliage is minimal, with only a few small leaves. The overall form is upright, simple, and slender.
Stage 2
Field of Saplings
As the trees grow to 2 meters, they begin to take on a more structured form. The trunks are thicker but still slender, and the branching starts to spread horizontally. The canopies are still sparse but beginning to fill in, with more leaves developing. The trees remain close together, creating a tight, uniform arrangement with overlapping branches and foliage.
Stage 3
Crowded Forest of Young Trees
At 4 meters, the trees become more robust, with thicker trunks and denser branching. The canopy now forms a more prominent crown, though still compact due to the tight planting distance. The tree form begins to compete for light and space, causing some trees to develop upward more than outward. The lower branches may begin to die off or thin due to shading from adjacent trees.
Stage 4
First Selective Thinning
After thinning to 2 meters between trees, the remaining trees have more room to spread their canopies. The form becomes wider and fuller, with branches extending horizontally. The trees are no longer as tightly packed, and the individual trees can grow more symmetrically, with healthier foliage and more balanced canopies. The increased space allows for better light penetration, encouraging growth.
Stage 5
Crowded Forest Tall Trees
At 6 meters tall, the trees are now reaching a more mature form. The trunks are significantly thicker, and the canopy becomes broad and full. The branches continue to spread horizontally, and the trees have a more defined shape, with the lower branches possibly shedding due to shading, leaving a clear trunk. The trees remain densely packed, but their larger size creates a layered structure, with canopies overlapping.
Stage 6
Open Forest Tall Trees
After thinning to 3 meters between trees, the remaining trees can develop fully, with expansive canopies and symmetrical growth. The trunks are strong and thick, and the branches are well-spaced, forming a robust, rounded canopy. The lower branches are likely to have shed, leaving clear trunks with only higher branches forming the canopy. The additional space allows for healthy, vigorous growth, with well-developed, tall form.
