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ProtectaWeb™

Tree root protection

ProtectaWeb is a proven no-dig method of enabling the creation of access ways or parking areas in close proximity to nearby trees. The unique composition and strength of ProtectaWeb™ ensures this can be done without compacting the soil, which can cause irreparable harm to the tree’s life support system.

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ProtectaWeb

Prevent damage to tree roots

ProtectaWeb is a matrix that contains and confines granular infill. This provides a stable, uncompacted, composite matrix with an enhanced angle of internal friction that significantly reduces the imposed loads on the soil and tree roots beneath.

ProtectaWeb’s perforated cell walls give lateral drainage, minimising hydrostatic build up which ensures the maximum supply of water to the tree roots, even when installed on a gradient.

On development sites soil compaction is the biggest threat to existing trees. Soil compaction forces air, minerals and water particles out of the soil leaving the tree root starved of the vital components needed for health.

Compaction is caused primarily from the construction process or creating new paths, car parks or roadways above the root protection area of existing trees. This is usually compounded by site traffic using the site prior to any tree protection measures being in place. There are other factors which can cause harm to trees on development sites. These include:

  • Storing building materials above the root protection area
  • Creating impermeable surfaces above tree roots
  • Raising ground levels above the root protection area
  • Poor design of tree protection measures
  • Root severance and disturbance during tree works
  • Building too close to tree trunks.

ProtectaWeb provides the solution

Wrekin’s tree root protection system, ProtectaWeb™, is ideal for building roads, car parks, lorry parks, and pathways over the root protection area of existing tree roots. It can be designed to accommodate all types of vehicle loadings and soils without any digging required. The system is simply placed on the existing ground, filled and finished with a porous surface. The cells are filled with a clean angular stone which allows drainage and aeration through the cells. Two key components of the ProtectaWeb™ system are the special grading of the stone and the selection of the geotextile separator, placed below the ProtectaWeb™

How protectaweb tree root protection system works

Declining vs healthy tree

Lack of tree root protection can lead to

  1. Rutting and compaction of soil
  2. Physical root damage from wheels
  3. Restricted oxygen and water channels to root system
  4. Roots exposed to contamination from vehicle leaks of oil, petrol and diesel
  5. Root dieback
  6. Overall decline of tree

ProtectaWeb Tree Root Protection system provides

  1. Provides even distribution of traffic weight
  2. Guards against root damage from digging out
  3. Ensures unrestricted passageways for oxygen and water to roots
  4. Protects roots from contamination by nonwoven geotextile
  5. Reduced compaction of sub-soils
  6. Keeps tree healthy

Benefits of ProtectaWeb

  • Provides a suitable, stable, running surface for the required road or track
  • A no-dig solution with no mechanical damage to the existing tree roots
  • Significant reduction in the loads transferred from above to the tree roots
  • Prevents harmful compaction of the soils in the root protection area
  • Provides a porous and uncompacted structure that enables the tree’s essential supply of water and oxygen to be maintained
  • Eliminates the risk of a potential fine for causing damage or death to a tree subject to a Tree Protection Order
  • We can provide a variety of design suggestions for your scheme depending on the in-situ ground conditions and associated loading requirements

Applications for ProtectaWeb

  • Car park areas
  • Access roads
  • Driveways
  • Footpaths
  • Fire access route

Functions

Reinforcement

Resists stresses or reduces deformations

Protection

Stress reduction layer to prevent or reduce damage

Filtration

Allows passage of fluids whilst retaining soil particles

Drainage

Collects and transports fluids within its thickness

Erosion control

Prevents wind or water surface erosion

Product specification

Cell depth Test method 50mm 75mm 100mm 150mm 200mm
Suitable for   Light foot trafficking Cycleways, footpaths, bridleways, small vehicle access Car parks, domestic driveways, vehicle hard standing Fire tenders, dust carts, vehicles up to 30 tonnes Site access for construction vehicles, cranes and working platforms
Sheet length (m)   3.68
Bonded ranges (mm)   356±2.5
Expanded cell size (WxL) (mm)   260x224
No of cells / section   330
Expanded section size (m)   2.71 x 7.38        
Expanded section area (m2)   20        
Material   High density polyethylene
Standard colour   Black
Density (g/cm3) ISO 1183 ≥0.94
Carbon black content (%) BS 2782 ≥1.5
Tensille strength3 MD (kN/m) ISO 10319 ≥20
Tensile strength of perforated strip MD (kN/m) ISO 10319 >10
Elongation at maximum load 3,4 (%) ISO 10319 15
Seam peel strength3 (N / 100mm depth cell) ISO 13426 method B ≥1420
Installation guidance

Design proposals and guarantee

We can provide full design proposals for all ProtectaWeb components. The chart below can be used as a guide for initial project implementation. However, we always suggest the full requirements of your design be verified by our technical support team.

In addition, we will guarantee ProtectaWeb Tree Root Protection System for 25 years, providing the ProtectaWeb strictly adheres to our installation recommendations and all system components have been used.

Depth of cell required Gross vehicle weight Application
200mm <65,000 Kg HGV, crane and piling rigs
200mm <50,000 Kg Heavy construction traffic
150-200mm <30,000 Kg Standard construction traffic and refuse vehicles
150mm <16,000 Kg Emergency access and tractors
100-150mm <9,000 Kg Delivery vans
100-150mm <6,000 Kg Car parks for cars and light vans
100mm <3,000 Kg Domestic traffic
75mm <1,000 Kg Pedestrians and cycleways

Note: This is general guidance for the depth of ProtectaWeb according to Gross Vehicle Weight for a firm and stable sub-grade (CBR.3%). If the ground conditions are poor and/or unstable please contact our ProtectaWeb team for a site-specific design on 01543 440432 or via email at sales@wrekinproducts.com.

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