Conocarpus tree- a dangerous avenue and Garden tree

Conocarpus erectus, a native of Tropical America, is a fast-growing and drought-resistant tree, for these reasons it is widely planted in almost all cities around around parking and as avenue trees on the the streets in recent years. The ministry of municipalities and ministry of higher education of Iraq has banned this species based on rumors about the infrastructure damages caused by this tree. 

 Conocarpus tree has negative effects or disadvantages that could harm and damage the country. It is advisable not to plant Conocarpus trees near buildings because of the ravages of its radical water system, which may cause damage to infrastructure, water pipes, and drainage. Conocarpus does produce pollens and twice a year. These pollution are the potential allergens that can cause some ill effects like the allergy to some people. A study conducted by researchers of the Department of Botany in the University of Karachi found that the number of Asthma patients was higher in September to October. “The percentage of Conocarpus species were most frequent from months September to October and likely to be the causative agents of Asthma.” 

A research study conducted by Shahmukh and co-workers in 2020, to investigate the reality of these damage to infrastructure on the basis of scientific principles, lasted for two years in cooperation with services directorates (municipal, sewage, water, and communications) in Misan province. Four infrastructure damages caused by this tree have been reported three out four were reported in drinking water pipes led to water outages for few days, and the other one was reported in the domestic sewage causing a blockage at the junction of sewer pipes. Any case of damage to streets, sidewalks and line services (electricity and internet) were not reported in the present study. According to soil tests and other parameters including (tree height, length of the root, the pruning and the distance between the tree and infrastructure) that have been used in the current study, lack of irrigation and not to prune the trees planted near the infrastructure represents the main causes that led to the occurrence of infrastructure damages by the hydrotropism, which increment of root extension and ended with its pipe penetration leading to blockage of water drinking and sewer pipes. In conclusion, this tree can be planted, but with conditions that include regular irrigation, pruning leaf, and plant trees away from the infrastructure.

References

  Shahmukh, A.F., S.A, Ghailan and D.M. Mohsin (2020) Plant Archieves Vol.20, supplement 2, 2020, 1224-1227

Mammen Daniel