Raft System Tree planting solution - One The Square, Cambridge

The revolutionary Geo-Cellular Raft System has been installed on one of the most high profile projects, currently in construction in Cambridge. One The Square is the first phase of the CB1 project to incorporate the Geo-Cellular Raft System into its landscape design.

Main contractor Wates worked in conjunction with gtSpecifier, the team behind Geo-Cellular Raft System, to assist with the planting of 12 London Planes that would make up the concourse area of One The Square. Working with Robert Myers Associates and Cambridge City Council’s own Landscape Architects the gtSpecifier team proposed a number of practical solutions to the planting of the urban trees.

Three trench cross sections were drawn up by the gtSpecifier team each comprising of 3, 4 or 5 trees with a target volume of 25m3 of growing media per tree. A trench formation of the Geo-Cellular Raft System proved to be the most practical method of tree planting or this project, ensuring the correct volume of growing media was achieved whilst acknowledging the limited working area. Geo-Cellular Raft System soil was incorporated into the tree pits, providing a friable growing media with the correct organic content for the London Plane trees. The Geo-Cellular Raft System Soil works in collaboration with the system to prevent compaction within the tree pit whilst ensuring essential moisture, air and nutrients reach the tree’s roots. Working in partnership with the system, the Geo-Cellular Raft System Soil encourages natural root development that reflects the growth and spread of the tree’s canopy.

Richard Wexham, Project Development Manager for gtSpecifier added:

‘One The Square was an exciting project to work on, requiring the team to be creative with their project solutions. Achieving the target growing media volume was paramount to this project and incorporating Geo-Cellular Raft soil into the planting meant that the London Planes would receive all the nutrients and water that required.’