Smart Soaker

Trees are important fixtures in the urban and rural landscape. We value above-ground parts of trees for their spring flowers, cooling shade in summer, and vibrant leaf colors. But healthy root systems below ground are vital for tree vigor and longevity. Roots are responsible for water and mineral nutrient uptake, energy storage, and anchorage. Roots grow where the resources of life (water, oxygen, and mineral nutrients) are available. For typical tree installations this often means that pavements and adjacent services are damaged as the tree matures. Serious trip hazards result and council’s assume the liability for any accidents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mature trees can have large water requirements and may lose up to hundreds of litres of water daily through their leaves. Trees will experience stress if insufficient soil water is available to replace the water lost through the leaves and this is most commonly provided by natural rainfall.   Constructed impervious pavements prevent this watering from entering the ground to water the trees and continued stress can lead to serious health problems. . Signs of water stress can include wilting foliage, marginal leaf scorch, lack of new growth in spring, and dieback of leaves, twigs and branches. The premature shedding of leaves without the appearance of the wilting or leaf scorch is another response to water stress as we have seen over this summer period.

 

Supplementary watering during dry periods can assist in maintaining tree health. Many councils have undertaken this to keep the most valuable trees alive however this practice requires an investment of considerable resources.

 

Enter Smart Soaker! The pavements we build prevent the rainfall being soaked up in the landscape to provide water for vegetation and ground water recharge. Every time it rains, the stormwater runoff travels down our roadsides and into our stormwater pipes and eventually into our urban waterways. Smart Soaker captures this water and delivers it below the ground to where it can be utilised by our trees or has a chance to seep into the soil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lets protect our paved surfaces, avoid costly maintenance to manage liability and promote healthy trees.