The Canopee the best of both world ? Trees and Shade Sails comparison

Are you old School or new ways?

Considering options to transform your cityscape into a more vibrant and greener place? You would probably have thought of planting trees. In this article, we dive into old and new ways of dealing with urban greening and their pro and cons blowing the traditional boundaries between Urban Greening, Placemaking and Green Architecture. Trees have long been synonymous with urban greenery, offering shade, oxygen, and habitat for wildlife. They're natural, time-tested solutions that enhance the aesthetics and well-being of urban environments. However, their growth requires space, maintenance, and time to reach maturity. That goes without saying that you need to make space -in an already saturated underground- for the roots to grow. People often forget that there is no shortage of choices, ranging from traditional tree planting to cutting-edge innovations like the Canopee. Below, we'll delve into the characteristics of both and explore how each contributes to urban transformation.

UV-Protection and Nature

Comparison
Tree
Canopee
Shade Sail
Provide Shade
YES
YES
YES
Protect from Skin Cancer
YES
YES
YES
Provide Cooling (Evapotranspiration)
YES, naturally done by the leaves
YES, naturally done by the plants
NO, just mechanic shade

Social Impact

Comparison
Tree
Free-Standing Canopee
Shade Sail
Create a Hotspot for People to Gather
YES
YES
NO
Greening and Wellbeing effect
YES, Naturally Distressing
YES, Naturally Distressing
NO
Architectural Appeal
NATURALLY!
YES, MADE FOR IT!
NO, SORRY!
Lighting
YES
YES
NO

Sustainability

Comparison
Tree
Canopee
Shade Sail
Bring more nature
YES
YES
NO
Carbon Neutral
YES (INSTANTLY)
YES (within 5.5 years)
NEVER

Dimensions and costs

Comparison
Tree
Free-Standing Canopee
Shade Sail
Need for Underground Anchoring and Deep Soil Access
YES
NO
YES
Depth of Underground Anchoring and Roots
6-12 times the height of the tree
NONE (Constraint in a pot)
>1 Meter
Installation Time
A FEW DAYS of process
< 1 DAY
A FEW DAYS of process
Canopy Growth Timeline
A FEW YEARS
3 TO 4 YEARS
INSTANTLY
Maximum Height
Sky is the limit!
3 m for the Small Canopee 5 m for the Large Canopee

Predictable Nature (avoid root problems, branch interference, ...)
NO
YES
NO Nature
Modularity
NO. Difficult to move a tree
YES. Fully relocatable / refitable
NO. Once anchored, you will need heavy machines to remove the Shade Sail.
Green Cover
50 square meters of shade (for a 5-meter tree)
20 square meters for the Small Canopee50 square meters for the Large Canopee
No Nature
Cost
$150-$2,5k depending on the height
$20k-$35k depending on the height
from $2,5k depending on the sail size
Removal cost
$300 – $10,000
< $300 is the price of a forklift rental for a day. This is all you need to move the Free-Standing Canopee.
$1,000

Options

Comparison
Tree
Free-Standing Canopee
Shade Sail
Lighting
YES
YES
NO
Integrated Table or Bench
NO
YES
NO

the three questions you need to answer

Can I dig into the ground?

  • YES! You have the choice! A Tree would be a good solution if you have no further constraints.
  • NO! You should think about the Free-Standing Canopee. It would mimic the benefits of a tree without digging.

How permanent do I want it to be?

  • NO LIMITS! Well, you can go all the way with a tree that can last decades! The Canopee can last as well and should resist for at least 15 to 20 years.
  • I AM NOT SURE! The Canopee is the solution. It can be tested in a place and then relocatable as many times as you want.
  • TEMPORARY! You won't have the time to see a tree growing, but you can go for a Canopee. In fact, some events hosted Canopees with integrated plants... for a day, for a week, or for a year, the Canopee may be the perfect solution.

Is it a dense area?

  • YES! The saturated underground of cities scape can embody risks for the roots. The unpredictable branches can reach the electric cables... If you want to have a predictable integration of Nature both underground and on the ground, we would advise you to go for the Canopee!
  • NO! If you have the space, feel free to run for a classic tree. The old school is still great!