Introduction Nature-based solutions are increasingly recognized as vital components of urban resilience strategies, particularly within the framework of green infrastructure. This study aims to propose an approach that fosters symbiosis between green and gray infrastructure to address the challenges posed by climate change in urban environments.Methods We conducted a comprehensive review of guidelines and scientific literature to inform the selection of species and the design of root containers for urban tree planting. Additionally, we performed a multicriteria analysis and assessed water comfort to guide decision-making regarding species selection in specific city areas.Results The methodology was applied to a case study in Bogota, yielding insights applicable to any city with basic knowledge of suitable species for planting in built public spaces. Crucial criteria for selecting local species for sidewalks were identified, including size, permeability, soil compaction characteristics, and climatic adaptability. A list of desirable species adapted to all humidity zones of the case study city was generated. Hydrological sizing methods proposed are contingent upon both the species to be planted and the geometry of the streets.Discussion The approach and findings presented in this study promote the development of trees and their ecosystem services while mitigating potential damage to surrounding infrastructure.Conclusion Implementing strategies that facilitate symbiosis between green and gray infrastructure contributes to urban resilience and aids in climate change adaptation efforts.

Tree failure can pose significant challenges to green-infrastructure planning for potentially jeopardizing ecosystem services provision, infrastructure safety, and citizens' well-being. The city-wide disturbance caused by the loss of over 2000 trees annually in Sa similar to o Paulo, Brazil, impelled local authorities to collect detailed field-data on tree failure from 2016 to 2018 at the city center, a hotspot of tree failure, and then engage with the academia to support risk management. We aimed at building predictors and defining guidelines to reduce branch, trunk, and root failure based on species, wood status, root collar constrictions, conflicts with overhead cables, pruning methods, and site characteristics of 456 trees using Classification Trees and Bagging. These algorithms commonly used in decision-making yielded up to 70% accuracy, identifying wood status, root collar constrictions, and pruning as the main predictors. Branch failure represents 46% of the dataset. In the absence of wood degrada-tion, branches were the most likely mode of failure. Root failure comes next representing 33% of the dataset, common to trees without wood degradation but with constricted root collars by pavement, compacted soil, or girdling roots. Root failure also dominates in trees with clear signs of wood decay and trunk cavities. Trunk failure only represents 21% of the events, common to trees with wood decay and subject to poor pruning practices. Thus, effective management of trees requires a collaborative approach to collecting data, analyzing, and establishing roles and guidelines. This study points to the role of local authorities in undertaking a detailed assessment of trees' wood status throughout the city, while the municipality and private companies responsible for their management must adopt appropriate pruning practices. Lastly, those engaged in planting trees must guarantee enough space for the root collar to grow. Neglecting these guidelines can incur the cost of twice as much damage to the city.