Just takes one angry teenager with a baseball bat or drunk moron with an automobile. I'd like to see the automotive crash test data on survivability of this water tank vs say, an oak tree.

Also how well it would hold up in a cold snap. Would be fairly limited to warm climates I imagine but even warm climates get a few days of freezing temperatures occasionally.

Isn't technology wonderful? Just imagine how many jobs this Liquid Tree® creates, compared to obsolete "trees."

Can't charge a phone using a tree.

...well, unless we stick a solar panel + charging port on it, like with this thing.

Even though microalgae are more efficient in binding carbon dioxide than regular plants, trees have a larger volume, and a higher density of biomass as our system involves a lot of water. That’s why one Liquid 3 can replace one adult tree regarding the capacity of binding carbon dioxide,” Spasojević said, reflecting on the first year of operation

They also claim it's better than trees with heavy metal tolerance & particulate matter

It's not meant to replace trees. But it could be integrated into architecture.

It's better at raising awareness because it's weird and it's a conversation starter.

It's better at being a bench.

It's a better windbreak.

The article says it: it's not meant to replace trees.

But it could be an option for places where a tree cannot be planted. If cities want to build street infrastructure, for example a shelter at a bus stop, then a microalgae CO2 filter and solar power could be integrated. Or tanks like this could be integrated into other architecture like in house walls.