Infrastructure and landscape contractors
Smart integration of green and infrastructure for smooth delivery
Lack of space. It is becoming an increasingly serious problem in our public spaces. The growth in the number of cables and pipes as a result of the energy transition, digitalisation and the expansion of district heating networks is causing the ground to become ever more congested.
At the same time, we want to plant more trees and greenery to make cities more climate resilient and liveable. This also means that root systems require more space. These two developments are increasingly coming into conflict. Roots and utilities compete for the same underground space. In practice, there is often a lack of integrated coordination between design, implementation and management. As a result, conflicts between roots and underground utilities continue to escalate, leading to very high repair costs and safety risks.
An integrated approach between green and grey works in the long term
At present, the average urban tree lives for only ten years. Yet urban trees only truly deliver their full value once they reach maturity, at around twenty to thirty years of age.
Tree roots become larger and stronger over time, which can cause damage to cables and pipes. They attach themselves to utilities, exert pressure on them or even penetrate them. Conversely, underground utilities can restrict the growth and stability of trees. To protect both trees and infrastructure, an integrated tree pit design is essential.
Typical damage caused by an unsuitable tree pit
Damage caused by conflicts between trees and underground infrastructure can manifest itself in various ways, such as cable failures, leakages, root heave and unstable trees. When cables or pipes are installed without adequate protection or without taking trees into account, the risks can increase significantly:
Root heave
Root heave can push up or crack paving.
Root entanglement
Intertwined roots can displace or deform pipelines, causing leaks and malfunctions.
Root intrusion
Protective ducts or sheaths around cables may be weak or have gaps, allowing root intrusion. This can loosen or damage joints and connections.
Soil compaction
Soil compaction or unfavourable soil composition around cable routes reduces rootable space and forces roots towards areas where cables and pipelines lie.
Unstable trees
Cables and pipelines often restrict tree growth space, leading to poorly developed root systems and unstable trees.
Roots given free rein
The absence of physical barriers (such as root protection screens) gives roots free rein to grow towards infrastructure.
Addressing challenges with trees in the public realm
Trees naturally belong in forests, not among concrete and paving. It is therefore not surprising that a tree causes root heave or damage to utilities when it is planted in the middle of paved surfaces without a suitable tree pit. An urban tree often has to cope with heat stress, soil compaction, oxygen deficiency, insufficient growing space, drought, pollution and a lack of nutrients. Trees usually do not fail immediately, but remain under prolonged stress.
No more lack of space through integrated tree pit design
For 30 years, we at GreenMax have been pioneering innovations that bring green space and infrastructure together. Green, grey and blue no longer have to be competing choices, but can form one integrated solution with the right approach.
This is how we provide solutions for the integrated design of urban tree pits, both for new planting and for the revitalisation of existing trees. Within paved areas, we create a growing environment that is as natural as possible, while at the same time ensuring optimal water management, protection of paving and careful integration of cables and pipes.
Tree Pit Design
Root protection and guidance
Water retention
Aeration and irrigation
Anchoring
Trunk protection
Biodiversity conservation
Soil improvement
Exterior design
Working with user-friendly solutions
User-friendliness is a key principle in the development of our solutions. We regularly work together with contractors on site to provide proper instruction for installations that are being applied for the first time, for example with the TreeParker soil cell system.
Through this direct involvement, we hear and experience what is happening during implementation. We use this practical feedback to further improve existing solutions and to develop new innovations. In addition, we provide extensive and clear information, such as specification texts, manuals and product data sheets.
Support at every stage of the project
An integrated tree pit design, in which trees, water management, utilities and paving come together, requires knowledge of technical possibilities and systems. We are happy to support you in the following ways:
Need support for your project?
We are keen to think along with you about connecting green space and infrastructure in the public realm. Whether it concerns a new greening project or underground conflicts such as tree roots interacting with cables and pipes, we are happy to help.
As an integrated partner for green space and infrastructure, we offer support at every stage of the process. Would you like to discuss a specific challenge or are you looking for in-depth advice? Feel free to schedule a no-obligation consultation to explore the possibilities together.
