Bark!

Problem

Dog urine is a major threat to the survival of urban trees. Contrary to public belief, the acidity alone in dog urine is not to blame for the killing of trees. The real problem is actually the concentration of nitrogen in dog urine.

Nitrogen is one of the main ingredients of the commercial fertilizers and dog urine regularly contains high levels of nitrogen because of the protein they eat. However, dog urine being continuously deposited in a relatively small area contains so much nitrogen that it kills the protective bark. It is basically too much of a good thing for trees and other vegetation. Also, salt and other compounds such as potassium also contribute to health problems, but nitrates are known to be the No. 1 killer.

Solution

To place a durable structure that resembles a tree stump in multiple locations, which will encourage dogs to urinate here in place of living trees. Its color, which is a bright yellow, will attract dogs to relieve themselves on the imitation environment. In addition, its plaque is made out of dissolvable material, which will begin to vanish the more urine it becomes exposed to. This serves as a visual device to represent the destructive impact urine can have on a living tree.