Fosse Park’s Investment in Tree Health is Paying Off

In just a few short years, Silva Cell trees are delivering the resilience and canopy coverage that older plantings have yet to reach

Project Overview

Fosse Park in Leicester is one of the UK’s most popular and successful retail parks, attracting over 10 million visitors annually. Originally developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the site underwent a major expansion and redesign between 2016 and 2019. As part of this transformation, more than 850 Silva Cells were installed to support new tree plantings throughout the expansive parking areas and high-footfall pedestrian routes. This green infrastructure initiative was part of a broader landscape strategy focused on improving walkability, comfort, and environmental performance within a busy commercial environment. The result is a stylish, modern shopping destination with vibrant public spaces that enhance both user experience and ecological function.

Fosse Park Project

Number of Silva Cells: 154 (1x) and 712 (2x)
Number of Trees: 50+
Type of Project: Parking Zone, Retail Area, Streetscape
Project Designer: Sheils Flynn
Project Contractor: Gavin Jones, East Midlands
Installation Date of Silva Cells: 2016-2019 (3 phases)

Tree Growth That Outpaces the Past

One of the most striking outcomes of this multi-phase project is the clear difference between trees planted decades ago and those installed using Silva Cells less than ten years ago. The younger trees, supported by uncompacted, high-quality soil within the Silva Cell system, have already outgrown their predecessors in canopy size, color vibrancy, and overall health. This visible success is proof of what Silva Cells make possible: sustained tree growth even in heavily paved, high-traffic areas. Instead of the typical struggle to establish urban trees in parking lots, Fosse Park is now home to a flourishing canopy that reflects the right conditions for long-term tree health.

Installation (2016-19)

Urban Trees as Climate and Business Assets

In the context of expansive hardscapes like parking lots and pedestrian malls, healthy trees are more than a visual amenity — they are a climate and economic strategy. Shade from trees reduces surface temperatures, making outdoor areas more comfortable for shoppers while lowering the urban heat island effect. Studies show that people stay longer, spend more, and feel better in environments that are shaded and welcoming — all benefits that support the retail mission of Fosse Park. The Silva Cell system made it possible to install trees not just as decoration, but as high-performance green infrastructure.

An Investment in Longevity and Performance

Poor-performing trees often lead to higher maintenance costs, frequent replacements, and missed opportunities for shade, beauty, and customer satisfaction. At Fosse Park, the use of Silva Cells was a forward-thinking investment: one that ensures trees thrive from day one and continue delivering value for decades. Instead of short-term fixes, the landscape strategy prioritized sustainable infrastructure — saving time, money, and disruption down the line.

Unique Tree Formation

A double row of trees in the Fosse Park carpark has been landscaped into square formations, creating a clean, modern aesthetic in the pedestrian zone. While unconventional, the layout still supports healthy, vibrant trees that bring greenery to the paved environment.

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