Passively Irrigating Street Trees

Jamie has worked on muliple Passive Irrigtion Projects. Some high profile and urban, some more mainstream in greenfields estates.

Trees in urban environments often suffer and can result in stunted growth with limited root growth zones or access to moisture. We find most Council arborists are looking to passively irrigate their trees with more water in hope the next generation of trees thrive.  Geotechnical testing is recommended on most projects to determine the infiltration rates of site soils. If they are found to be extremely slow (for eg, clay with sub 1mm/hr) an underdrain is often recommended. This ensures the trees are not waterlogged by the system providing them with too much water.  If the adjacent road is a Vicroads Road (and heavily trafficed), it may require a continuous formal barrier kerb. If so, a lintel can be located on every diversion (this is generally a costly approach).  Maintenance is always the deciding factor on these projects and we often include a sediment collection zone ease the impact in the longer term.

In projects like this, Jamie happily works with the full project control group to establish the ultimate outcome (water for trees), design (diversion and monitoring systems), ensure maintenance needs are met (in line with other council practices) and have the assets constructed (supported the contractor during construction).

More information can be found on the Tanderrum Way project here.