Rich are tree lovers at heart

By Andrew Clark
July 18, 2005

Illustration: Cathy Wilcox





Professor Kirkpatrick said the link between wealth and trees was backed by spy plane photographs that highlight the moisture held in vegetation.

"If you look at images of Los Angeles," he said, "all the rich suburbs are bright red, reflecting the water from the lawns and trees. South-central suburbs such as Watts, famed for their riots, are blue, because they have practically no moisture."

The desire of the rich for privacy and shade also plays a part. Rich people are less likely to associate with their immediate neighbours, and use trees to hide themselves away.

Professor Kirkpatrick said people who moved to the city from the country were keener to tame nature. "In the countryside, nature is the enemy - it's all about killing things and fighting … bushfires or feral animals."

City of Sydney has made trees a priority, with the Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, announcing plans to plant an extra 450 trees on urban streets.
