Commute
While visiting Prague, I often used the Andel Metro station as an access and exit point, with the subway connecting to trams and buses. The Smichov square is always full of people commuting, shopping, or just hanging out.
Some days, there is a farmer’s market full of fresh fruits, flowers, baked goods and crafts. And it’s common to see buskers in a prominent spot, playing musical instruments and singing.
When it gets darker, you see many suspicious characters hanging out on benches and stairs. This often attracts city police because two young dudes sitting on a bench with a flat screen TV without a box does look suspicious.
Once I saw a lady walking around with a dog, kitchen knife in hand. That was bizarre. Since her friend was missing several teeth, I can only guess that they’re meth users. Czechia produces a lot of crystal meth; it’s called pervitin in Europe.
Food
I also used the Smichov square restaurants when my teenage son got hungry. Then, one day, while waiting for my tram number 20 to arrive, I looked up to see what tree was above me. The large leaves and fruits looked like Paulownia tomentosa. I later confirmed it with a guide I bought at a local bookstore.
Later, while reading a newspaper article, there was mention of the famous Smichov square. Made famous by these large Paulownia trees because of the shade they provide. Obviously! With Europe getting hammered by consecutive heat waves in 2026, the shade makes this square usable by everyone. Shoppers, commuters, and meth users.
Paulownias also have nice early season flowers, but the shade benefit is huge. And as Europe sweats, it’s becoming obvious that we need large trees in large squares. More city trees, not fewer.
City trees
City trees are, and will be, critical to life in cities. They provide more than shade; they also cool off cities as they release moisture through evapotranspiration.
In later blog post, I will list more of the benefits city trees provide from a book chapter I read recently in a Czech book. The author used a story to set things up. Picture a middle-aged man sitting outside a pub, complaining about leaves dropping on him and into his favourite Staropramen pint of beer. He wants the tree taken down and large umbrellas set up for shade. That’s where the author dismantles the man’s idea by beautifully comparing the services of a pub umbrella and a tree. It’s easily the best book chapter I’ve read so far this year.
We desperately need city trees. Just ask the people moving through the famous Smichov square.
