The trees have come through the work well and are growing well, resulting in an increased contribution to the cooling and water drainage in the city”

Municipality of Middelburg

“Research revealed that the subsoil on the side of the canal was heavily compacted and the clay soil lacked oxygen. As a result, the trees were lagging behind in growth and were not able to make deep roots, resulting in roots pushing up the ground at the surface.

In 2018, TFI Vitaler Groen was commissioned to improve the growing areas without switching out or replacing the soil. Using the TFI-method to inject the soil made it possible for the soil to create new, deeper roots in the improved substrate. Within the first year, an increased growth rate was already clearly visible.

Phase 2 of the project was completed In 2020, consisting of installation of a vertical root-resistant screen to prevent root growth directly under the asphalt. The damage to the pavement from previous shallow root growth was repaired and the walkway was re-paved. To protect the pavement surrounding the trees from root-growth break through directly under the asphalt, a planting strip was chosen and placed along the entire length. This layer provides for better rainwater filtration and soil aeration.

In preparation for this civil work and at the advice of TFI Vitaler Groen, we have once more treated the growing area around the trees, in order to optimize the growing space and to stimulate even deeper root growth. This will ensure that the tree roots will not create areas of pushed up ground and pavement in the future.

The results so far are visibly good. The trees came through the work well and are also growing well. Additionally, the entire area looks greener and more sustainable and are contributing increasingly to a cooler climate and water drainage in the city.”

Municipality of Middelburg ‘Interreg 2 Seas Project Cool Towns
For the project ‘Interreg 2 Seas Project Cool Towns,’ the paved area around the Kanaalweg in Middelburg is a designated project area. Paved spaces have made way for various plants, walls are covered with vertically-growing greenery, and roofs are covered with sedum succulents. In addition, the growing conditions of the existing trees have been ‘thoroughly’ improved. Combined, these measures contribute to a better urban climate for humans and animals, in which temperature extremes are minimized, rainwater is used efficiently and, last but not least, the area becomes a pleasant relax or wander through.

Sjaak Visser
Specialist in Cultural Engineering @ Municipality Middelburg