Tree bunkers as ideal growing place for mature trees

More and more cities and towns are investing in a green and livable environment. To this end, planting mature trees is the most natural solution. But an urban underground is not the most tree-friendly setting. The tree bunker system TreeParker offers a practical and sustainable solution. Willy De Schagt, commercial manager of the road construction department at Deschacht, explains the added value of this innovative solution.

"Deschacht recently became the exclusive distributor of TreeParker, a modular structural tree bunker system that simultaneously provides stormwater management," explains De Schagt. "With this innovative system from TreeBuilders, our customers can get to work creating the best conditions when planting trees in an urban environment. Because growing trees into large, healthy adults requires much more than simply digging holes and planting trees. Functional trees need the soil volume to match their required growing space."

Greening urban environment

Deschacht's decision to become a TreeParker distributor was a well-considered one, according to Willy De Schagt. 

"The greening of urban environments is gaining in importance, but at the same time it is a phenomenon that is still in its infancy. Together with building owners, engineering firms and contractors, we want to put our shoulders to the wheel in creating livable urban environments. We notice that the tree bunker system for green and road construction projects is becoming more and more known. This is undoubtedly due to the numerous advantages they offer."

Space for healthy trees

"For the success of tree bunkers, engineering firms play a role that cannot be underestimated," Willy said. "After all, when redeveloping a square or street in a city or town, they help determine the plans to prioritize more greenery. Mature trees contribute significantly to healthier soil, air and water in cities. But at the same time, urban soil is used in a variety of ways, such as for civil works and water management. The result? A subsurface that is often paved, compacted and full of pipes. Based on an overarching tree list, a study firm determines which type of tree is best suited for a specific location, Using the Tree Monitor, the correct volume of soil can be named."

Maximizing

So conditions in a city or town are often far from ideal for planting mature trees. 

"The TreeParker system is the latest generation of underground soil systems for trees in so-called 'hard landscaping,'" confirms De Schagt. "This tree bunker system accommodates large quantities of uncompressed high-quality soil and maximizes the usable space underground. In addition, trees are given all the room they need for unhindered root growth, so their roots no longer push up and damage streets and sidewalks. The TreeParker also withstands heavy traffic loads from through traffic up to 30 kilometers per hour."

Numerous benefits

Customers and contractors who have already used this application praise its strengths. De Schagt explains: "TreeParker was developed based on feedback and experiences gathered during extensive trials, projects and discussions with landscape architects, clients, contractors and nurseries. The simple and modular design and ease of installation, the variable unit depth between 40 and 150 centimeters, the sustainable nature and the integration of existing and new facilities are just some of the assets that stand out. The long service life - thanks to its manufacture from recyclable and inert plastic - and up to 95 percent available empty space for soil infill are also making TreeParker increasingly popular."

Together with his Deschacht colleagues, Willy De Schagt intends to continue to promote the tree bunker system to the fullest. "As a distributor, we see it as our mission to maximize awareness of this solution so that we do our part to contribute to healthy ecosystems in cities and towns. Green and healthy living and working environments, that's what we're all about!"