Introduction Municipal street reconstruction is often triggered by aging underground infrastructure: water mains, sewer lines, utilities, sidewalks, curbs, or drainage systems that have reached the end of their service life. But once a street is opened up, the project becomes more than a repair. It becomes a planning opportunity. Instead of simply replacing old infrastructure… More
Introduction Not long ago — as recently as 10–15 years ago — trees were often the first thing to go when design conflicts appeared. If roots might interfere with utilities, sidewalks, or foundations, the simplest solution was to remove the tree from the plan. Infrastructure came first; trees were treated as optional. DeepRoot’s vice president… More
Introduction For nearly two decades, contractors have been installing Silva Cells in urban forestry and stormwater projects around the globe. From city streetscapes to major civic redevelopments, crews on the ground have consistently shared feedback on what matters most: efficient installation, reliable support, and lasting results for trees and soil. Their voices highlight not just… More
Introduction Soil is the foundation for healthy urban trees. It provides essential space for roots to expand, creating conditions for a mature, wide-canopy tree — but only if it’s actually there in the quantity and quality the tree needs. That’s why soil volume is one of the most important metrics for determining a city tree’s… More
Introduction For decades, the assumption has been simple: screened soil is better soil. It’s cleaner, more uniform, easier to manage — and is often seen as the gold standard. The golf industry, for example, has wholeheartedly embraced the properties of EPA-approved screen soils. But here’s the problem: in the pursuit of consistency, we’re sifting away… More
Stormwater Management: Conventional Wisdom The traditional approach to stormwater management in urban environments has been to treat it as a problem to be managed, a liability that cities must control to prevent flooding, pollution, and infrastructure damage. Cities have been built upon this principle: quickly removing runoff from urban areas, directing it into storm drains,… More
As Jim Urban says, “Designing sites is not about looking great the day, month, or year they are completed. It is about creating landscapes that can function and thrive for many years and decades to come.” The foundation of successful urban green space design is prioritizing both the soil and the trees – and optimizing… More
The pre-installation meeting is one of the most important — and free! — services offered by DeepRoot. They provide an opportunity for a DeepRoot representative to meet with installing contractors prior to the start of their Silva Cell installations to help ensure that they’re comfortable with the installation process. What are the details of these… More
Do you need to have prior Silva Cell experience to install the system? No! Our Standard Specifications call for Silva Cells to be installed by a “qualified installer whose work has resulted in successful installation of planting soils and planter drainage systems, underground piping, chambers, and vault structures.” In other words, contractors can meet these… More
Introduction Physical public spaces have for decades been important features of urban living, community centerpieces that provide a number of concurrent benefits – from health advantages to spurring economic revitalization and increased home values. If anything, the technological and medical conditions of modern life – from social media and virtual meetings to the Covid-19 pandemic… More
Cities at the Forefront Biodiversity, the mix of animal and plant species in a given region, is an important measure of environmental health and a crucial component of conservation efforts. Traditional thinking on biodiversity has viewed cities as its antithesis — a disturbance to the natural environment where life organically thrives. And there’s no doubt… More
Silva Cells and On-Structure Installations The DeepRoot Silva Cell system has been installed in dozens of rooftop and on-structure projects around the world. Whether on top of existing structures — such as parking garages — or a garden terrace atop a new construction project, Silva Cells can help create structure as well as bioretention for… More
Soil. Stormwater. Sustainable Infrastructure.
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