Soil structure is one of the greatest influences on pore space in soil, and how easily air, water, and roots can move through a soil. Many people are aware of what soil texture – proportions of sand, silt and clay – they are dealing with on a site; however, few people consider a soil’s structure,… More
Introduction Cities around the world are setting ambitious urban canopy targets, an essential step toward climate resilience and healthier public space. Yet many municipalities struggle to turn those targets into reality. As identified in a recent cross-city urban forest study, the disconnect is rarely a lack of vision — it’s a breakdown in implementation. One… More
The Challenge of Limited Space As cities grow denser and redevelopment accelerates, space is becoming the defining constraint of modern design — and as hardscape surfaces increase, stormwater management becomes more critical. But traditional stormwater infrastructure requires generous footprints (like raingardens) or deep excavation (like large storage tanks): two conditions that are often unavailable in… More
Healthy trees can grow in even the most challenging urban environments, provided they receive enough water, soil, sunlight, and appropriate care. Vigorous urban trees help keep people healthier, cool cities during the summer, reduce energy use, support wildlife, raise property values, and make communities more welcoming. Yet heat and drought in many parts of North… More
It is hard to tell just by looking at a tree-lined street, but soil and its microbes — in combination with trees — can form a powerful system for improving stormwater quality. Some pollutants are filtered or retained by soil, while others are taken up or transformed by plants and microorganisms. The U.S. EPA’s 2023… More
Introduction People often ask us how Silva Cell grows large trees and treats stormwater. The truth is: it doesn’t. At least not by itself. Silva Cell isn’t some magical, mechanical device that generates roots or filters water on its own. Instead, it’s a simple yet powerful framework that lets nature perform at its best, even… More
Susan Day and her team at Virginia Tech published a paper earlier this year about a soil rehabilitation technique called Soil Profile Rebuilding, or SPR. They were looking for a way to rehabilitate soils damaged by land development in a way that would restore their biological function and be more supportive of plant growth. I… More
The following info on soil specifications was provided by Jim Urban. Imported soil specifications have evolved over the last 30 years to become quite specific about products. Frequently, they appear to be iron-clad descriptions of the most optimum soil; many specification writers would like us to think that even minor deviations from these documents… 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
The following info on green infrastructure soil was provided by Howard Stenn (Stenn Design). Significant portions of compost are an essential part of many bioretention and other green infrastructure soils. Compost is a beneficial complement to the largely inert aggregate used to provide rapid infiltration in these mixes: It stores significant moisture—reducing peak and… More
The following Q&A on compost was answered by Sally Brown (University of Washington) and was reprinted from the “Soil Matters” blog. Question: What is “compost,” exactly? I’ve heard the term my entire life, but I’ve never really understood what it means. Answer: Most gardeners and farmers know compost to be a rich, organic soil amendment,… 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
Soil. Stormwater. Sustainable Infrastructure.
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