Speaking for the Trees

I went on a history walking tour today, and in the midst of it I saw this in a parking lot:

I've seen trees that had too-small areas of permeable surface around them before, but I think this is this the first time I've seen ones that had pavement right up to their trunks.

Oddly, the trees (mature oaks) appeared to be healthy enough, and it doesn't look newly paved. It's possible it's porous asphalt, which has been available since 1970.

I hope so, for the trees' sake!