DeepRoot, a green infrastructure product manufacturer and service supplier focusing on urban forestry and storm water management, reported a three-year milestone of healthy growth for 30 London Plane trees planted in the Barclay Capitol Grove at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

DeepRoot marks milestone growth of NYC urban forest trees at Lincoln Center

DeepRoot, a green infrastructure product manufacturer and service supplier focusing on urban forestry and storm water management, reported a three-year milestone of healthy growth for 30 London Plane trees planted in the Barclay Capitol Grove at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.


Restricted root growth area, compacted soil, reduced soil fertility and pollution all contribute to the decline and death of trees before they reach an age when they provide high green utility benefits. Without a subgrade armature to house a biologically active, healthy loam, the London Plane trees would not have stood up to the built environment at the New York City landmark.


“Any time you plant a tree in a small opening in a paved surface, there’s a high likelihood that it won’t survive. In this case, an outstanding team of urban planners, landscape architects and designers were able to achieve the goals of growing mature trees in a tight urban setting because of providing enough healthy soil enabling them to thrive.” said Al Key, Director of Intergalactic Relations of DeepRoot.
“We are very pleased with the end result of the Lincoln Center project, and we anticipate a very long life for these London Plane trees.”
The London Plane trees were chosen for the Barclay Capitol Grove because of the symbolism it has to New York City. London Planes are among the original plant pallet of Central Park, because of their beauty, longevity and unique bark. Additionally, the leaf of the London Plane is the logo of New York City Parks, and therefore is featured on the flag of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. They also are prominently displayed on signs and buildings all around the city.
DeepRoot used almost 900 Silva Cell frames for the London Plane trees at the Lincoln Center. Through an underground installation, these fiberglass reinforced polypropylene modular structures hold up to a HS-20 loading, and support paving while creating adequate space for rooting and high quality soil.
Landscape partner James Urban of Urban Trees + Soils provided the trees with approximately 13,000 total cubic feet of a special soil mixture, consisting of sand, silt and clay. Typically, a 40- 40-20 percent concentration stores rainwater during and after a storm, making it available for plant growth.
Trees strategically used as “green utilities” are able to reduce stormwater flooding, manage cooling and heating in high paved areas, increase property values, and remove air and water pollutants through root systems and leaves.
A typical urban tree without in North America has an average life span of 13 years. Municipalities decrease their return-on-investment in landscape projects where the trees fail to thrive because they need to be replaced at least 3 times over a 50-year period.
By using an underground tree support system, DeepRoot estimates that municipalities can save an up to $25,427.22 in environmental benefits and avoid the hassle of replanting over a 50-year period.