Table of Contents
What is a Silva Cell?
The Silva Cell system provides large volumes of uncompacted high-quality soil while maximizing the usable space above ground. Because the Silva Cell meets European traffic loading standards, it easily supports roads, parking spaces and paving while its modular design is ideal for almost any application.
What is structural soil used for?
CU- Structural Soil®️ was designed to provide sufficient soil volumes for tree roots under pavements and parking lots. According to the instructions, it is ideal under pedestrian mall paving, sidewalks, planting islands, and parking lots.
What is cell soil?
Soil cells are designed to provide trees in urban environments with suitable conditions that promote healthy growth, without disturbing the structures above. Not every soil structure is conducive to the growth of trees.
What are silva cells used for?
The Silva Cell is a patented modular suspended pavement system that holds unlimited amounts of lightly compacted soil while supporting traffic loads beneath paving. That soil serves two important functions: growing large trees and treating stormwater onsite.
How much do Silva cells cost?
$14 – $18 per cubic foot
According to bid tabulations from projects across North America, the Silva Cell system generally costs $14 – $18 per cubic foot installed (that estimate includes everything except the base course, the final paving and the tree itself).
What are structural soil cells?
Structural soil is a commonly used medium that’s compacted under a pavement system to give structural support, creating only small void spaces for tree roots to grow. It’s made up of 80% gap-graded levels (crushed stones) and 20% soil.
How do you make structural soil?
The soil needed to make structural soil should be loam to clay loam containing at least 20% clay to maximize water and nutrient holding capacity. The proportion of soil to stone is approximately 80% stone to 20% soil by dry weight, with a small amount of hydrogel aiding in the uniform blending of the two materials.
What is sand based structural soil?
Sand based Structural Soil, consisted of four parts medium (concrete) sand, one-part topsoil loam, and 1.5 parts mature compost and compacted to 94-96% Proctor.
What is structural soil for trees?
Structural soil is comprised of a mixture of gap-graded gravels, which are typically made from crushed stone, a hydrogen stabilizing agent and clay loam. This type of soil is perfect when planning to plant trees, especially beside pavement sidewalks or roadways.
What is a good EC for soil?
110-570 milliSiemens per meter
Optimal EC levels in the soil therefore range from 110-570 milliSiemens per meter (mS/m). Too low EC levels indicate low available nutrients, and too high EC levels indicate an excess of nutrients.
Why EC is important for soil?
It is an important indicator of soil health. It affects crop yields, crop suitability, plant nutrient availability, and activity of soil microorganisms which influence key soil processes including the emission of greenhouse gases such as nitrogen oxides, methane, and carbon dioxide.
What is bioretention soil?
Bioretention areas (also referred to as bioretention cells or rain gardens) use soil, plants and microbes to treat stormwater before it is infiltrated or discharged. Bioretention areas are shallow depressions filled with sandy soil, topped with a thick layer of mulch, and planted with dense vegetation.
What is structural sand?
Structural soil/sand is a heavily compacted media with little to no nutrient-rich soil. Trees may grow well in it at first, but once the soil in the matrix is exhausted and along with a very fragmented and weak root system, the trees begin to decline.
Does EC matter when growing in soil?
If your EC is too low, your plants won’t be able to get enough food, which could result in the following symptoms: Leaf discolouration (leaves turn yellow or brown) Holes in leaves or brown spots of necrosis. Stunted roots and growth.
What is a good EC in soil?
Is EC and salinity the same?
Electrical conductivity (EC) is the most common measure of soil salinity and is indicative of the ability of an aqueous solution to carry an electric current. Soil salinity refers to dissolved salts such as sodium chloride, calcium chloride and magnesium chloride.
Is there a difference between structural soil and soil cells?
People often think that structural soil and soil cells are in the same league. However, they differ in the number of benefits they provide urban tree growth. Structural soil is a commonly used medium that’s compacted under a pavement system to give structural support, creating only small void spaces for tree roots to grow.
Is “cu soil” the same as “soil cells”?
There is sometimes misconception that structural soil such as “CU Soil” and soil cells have similar capabilities and provide similar benefits to trees, therefore leading to the two products being specified as equal alternatives. However, this is simply not factual.
Can soil cell products help city trees grow faster?
For years, people have been relying on structural soil to help trees mature in an urban environment. However, recent developments of soil cell products offer greater opportunities for city trees to grow and thrive in a shorter amount of time.