Statenlaan, Drunen (2009): root guidance directs root growth of plane trees

In 2009, the Municipality of Heusden planted plane trees along Statenlaan in Drunen, a species known for causing root heave. To prevent damage to cycle paths and pavements, the Tree Root Guiding (TRG) root guidance system was applied. During an inspection in 2022, the roots were found to be growing neatly downwards along the TRG system, allowing them to pass beneath the cycle path at depth.

In the spring of 2009, plane trees were planted in the Municipality of Heusden along Statenlaan in Drunen. The tree species planted was Platanus x acerifolia ‘Tremonia’, a species known for causing significant root heave. A future-proof solution was sought to prevent root heave.

To prevent root heave, the Tree Root Guiding (TRG) root guidance system was applied along the cycle paths. This system directs young roots downwards in a controlled manner, allowing them to continue growing at a safe depth beneath the paved surface. As a result, the cycle path is protected from lifting roots and the infrastructure remains level and safe for many years.

2022 – Road inspector Henk van de Brand says: ‘Our district manager responsible for management and maintenance indicates that, at present, fourteen years after installation, we have not had to carry out any work on the asphalt. The entire cycle path and the adjacent pavement still look immaculate.’ In May 2022, Van den Brand carefully excavated the soil near a TRG panel, just enough to observe how the roots are growing. ‘The roots run tightly along the screen and then dive downwards. There they can grow freely at depth. In about ten years, they may well return to the surface, but by then they will already have passed beneath the cycle path.’