[pauljz]

Agreed. I think a blanket "Don't even try" is silly, and antithetical to the ethos of HN. I'm surprised there isn't more backlash against this.

"Don't just draw them on the skyscraper, make it work." would be a better sentiment. If wind is a problem, find a way to break the wind. If roots are a problem, find a way to stop the roots, or trim the roots, and build that into the design.

But there's a pile of evidence for the benefits of adding greenery to cities, so please just don't say to stop trying.

[dspeyer]

Still, at least consider if climbing vines on trellises might serve better before putting a ton of effort into trees per se. They provide most of the same greenery benefits, can be made to fit the space, don't have dangerous roots, and are in many ways more robust. Plus they can have flowers or fruits near floor level.