Stratacell provides greenery and scale at new Canberra development
Casey 4 is a new subdivision located at Casey on the north-west edge of Canberra. Incorporating a local retail centre with a multi-unit and medium-density residential development, the intent was to create a connected public domain network of open space and streets. Of particular focus was strong street tree planting, with the objective of providing greenery, scale, and comfort for pedestrians.
Keith Stead, Landscape Architect and Associate Director at Oculus Landscape Architecture Urban Design Pty Ltd, said, “The main street through the development was intended to act as a strong boulevard with avenue tree planting but had varying verge conditions. The section in front of the retail centre had car parking with limited space for trees. In order to achieve the design intent, we needed to try and provide additional soil volume for the trees without losing car spaces.
- Planting Date: June 2013
- Planting size: 75L
- Species: Quercus palustris (Pin Oaks)
Measurements as at Jan 2017 (4 years old):
- Avg. Canopy Height: 7.2 metres
- Avg. Canopy Width: 5.4 metres
- Avg. Tree Value*: $5463
- Planting Date: June 2013
- Size at planting: 75L
- Species: Quercus palustris (Pin Oaks)
Measurements as at Jan 2017 (4 years old):
- Avg. Canopy Height: 3.6 metres
- Avg. Canopy Width: 3.4 metres
- Avg. Tree Value*: $615
*Average tree valuation arrived at using the common Burnley Tree Valuation Method.
Citygreen’s innovative Stratacell system was selected to provide adequate root space and soil volume for twelve Quercus palustris (Pin Oaks). Structural engineering was done by Sellick Consultants, with installation completed by TRI Civil.
Stead said, “The project used Stratacells beneath the car parking. This allowed us to provide more soil volume for the trees whilst not taking up large areas for planting and retaining car parking. The pervious paving treatment allows water to enter the planting trenches and water the trees without the need for irrigation. The trees have established successfully and the growth rate of the trees planted into the Stratacells has actually exceeded that of those planted in grass verges.
An earlier case study, including photos of the installation process and newly-planted trees, can be viewed here – with impressive growth clear to see in only four years.
“The benefit of working with Citygreen and its technologies is the ability to achieve win-win outcomes with good soil volumes and growing conditions provided to trees in an urban setting whilst not taking up valuable space at the ground plane.”