Structural Soil on Myrtle Avenue

Trees are a major asset for cities. They provide fresh air, reduce noise, cool the environment and make it more pleasant. In addition, studies have shown that trees add value to nearby properties and even attract shoppers to well-planted commercial districts.

Nevertheless, urban trees have many challenges that range from physical damage from cars to soil contamination from salt. One problem that isn’t frequently thought about is the amount of soil that roots have to grow in. You might think that any tree in the ground can put its roots out forever, but the reality is different. When sidewalks are prepared, the base beneath the sidewalk is compacted to ensure that the concrete surface does not move. This compaction makes the base so dense that roots regularly cannot penetrate much further than then area of the tree pit. So what we get, essentially, are many potted plants submerged in the ground.

Fortunately, a new technology has been developed to solve this problem. The solution is called CU Structural Soil , a product that, when installed beneath the sidewalk, can safely bear pavement loads after compaction and still allow for root penetration and vigorous tree growth. The above image demonstrates the difference that CU Structural Soil can provide.

In December 2006, MARP won funding from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to pilot installations of CU Structural Soil and to plant more trees around Myrtle Avenue. The first installation is taking place tomorrow, Monday, October 15, 2007 at the sidewalk adjacent to the Exxon gasoline station at 143 Vanderbilt Avenue (Myrtle/Vanderbilt) around the tree pits. We hope this is the beginning of a larger effort to not only plant more trees, but to plant and maintain them well, and keep them watered during the hot summer months.