Silva Cells Overcome Significant Slope Challenges on Montreal Streetscape Project

Pedestrian-friendly overhaul of Peel Street includes Silva Cells, which provide soil volume for new street trees — which are also receiving passive irrigation from sidewalk runoff

“Silva Cells offered a cost-efficient two-for-one on the Peel Street project: supporting tree health while also using sidewalk runoff as passive irrigation, removing the city’s need for an automatic irrigation system.”

-Mike James, DeepRoot Canada General Manager and project lead

Peel Street Project

Number of Silva Cells: 420 (1x) and 162 (2x)
Number of Trees: 25
Soil Volume per Tree: 15 m³
Project Designer: Civiliti
Project Contractor: Fleurs-o-Pave
Installation: Fall 2018

Project Overview

A well-trafficked north and south artery in Downtown Montreal, Peel Street — from Sherburne Avenue to Pine Avenue — underwent a pedestrian-friendly overhaul in 2018, widening the sidewalks for a safer and more efficient walking experience for residents and university students alike. Street trees were an essential component of the process, as the team at Civiliti wanted to ensure a healthy urban forest that could lower area temperatures and manage some area runoff on site. Silva Cells were able to be deployed on the challenging sloped street, upholding the sidewalk while also utilizing sidewalk runoff for passive irrigation.

Installation

New Street Trees

Overcoming the Slope

One of the best features of the Silva Cell system is its project versatility, including its ability to be installed on severely sloped roads — like Peel Street. In some places exceeding a 10% slope, the street posed obstacles to project designers; luckily, the Silva Cell can be utilized in both an angled and stepped formation, safely supporting the sidewalk above while containing lightly compacted, loamy soil below: a formula for healthy tree growth.

Passive Irrigation

The new street trees feature open grates where the sidewalk runoff can enter into the planting soil. This stormwater provides passive irrigation for the trees, saturating the soil and helping to eliminate drought periods. Likewise, the city is spared the cost of an auto irrigation system and reduces its burden on municipal gray infrastructure.