DRILL 2 FILL
SUSTAINABLE URBAN TREES PLANTING METHOD ADAPTED TO CLIMATE CHANGES: DRILL 2 FILL BY HERBAFERTILยฎ PLANTING METHOD
The DRILL 2 FILL by HERBAFERTILยฎ method for planting urban trees is a groundbreaking approach tailored to address climate-related challenges.
New young trees are being planted in parks, playgrounds, and along streets, which is certainly a positive development.
However, it is important to recognize that up to 30% of newly planted trees stagnate or die within the first three years after planting. The primary reasons for this high failure rate often stem from outdated and ineffective planting techniques that do not account for climate change. These methods can cause the tree sapling to sink 20 to 40 cm into the soil, leading to suffocation and ultimately drying out, compounded by inadequate surface watering and insufficient care during the initial three years. The loss of 30% of newly planted trees significantly impacts the resources and budgets of municipalities or any other investors involved.
In contrast to conventional planting methods, this innovative and highly successful patented technique known as DRILL 2 FILL by HERBAFERTILยฎ has been developed for planting urban trees. Over the past 12 years, the application of this method has resulted in only 3% of the 1,466 planted trees stagnating or dying.
The financial and overall benefits are clear: a stark contrast between the 30% loss of saplings using standard planting methods versus just 3% with this technique, leading to substantial savings in both time and money.
Here is a diagram illustrating the DRILL 2 FILL by HERBAFERTILยฎ planting method.
What occurs with standard, outdated planting methods? The reality is that in Europe today, due to improper planting techniques, most newly planted trees sink into the ground by 20 to 40 cm within the first six months. It is common to observe newly planted trees where the root collar is not visible, indicating that they have been planted too deeply. This issue arises from digging excessively deep planting holes, using loose peat and compost substrates, and insufficient compaction of the substrate during planting. With organic substrates, decomposition begins within three months, breaking down into tiny particles that the plant utilizes for growth, resulting in a loss of volume in the substrate. Consequently, the root ball sinks into the soil. To conceal this, gardeners often bury the sunken sapling and level the soil with the surrounding area, creating an appearance of normalcy. Some even create small compost mounds around the trunk. Since trees breathe through their bark, having bark from the root collar upward buried in the soil is inappropriate. This leads to gradual suffocation and decay of the tree. Additionally, the risk of pathogenic fungal attacks increases due to the buried bark. To make matters worse, research indicates that a tree sunken 30 cm into the ground requires 80 to 120 liters of water per square meter of surface area beneath its canopy to saturate the top 30 cm of soil, while the roots below that layer receive no water at all. This means that such sunken trees are also suffering from drought due to a lack of water!
The irrigation of tree seedlings today is not adapted to climate change. Typically, a micro-drip irrigation tube is placed in a narrow circle around the trunk at the soil surface. This method encourages root growth upwards and within a limited area beneath the irrigation, failing to promote deep rooting. Therefore, in our new irrigation approach, we introduce water at the bottom of the planting hole to stimulate the growth and expansion of roots downward. All the aforementioned planting and irrigation mistakes lead to the drying out of newly planted trees, not to mention the costs associated with replanting and the lost years and growth of the trees.
The application of the DRILL 2 FILL method by HERBAFERTILยฎ dictates that the planting ball must not sink into the soil, as the depth of the planting hole matches the height of the planting ball. To facilitate rapid and deep root establishment, four holes, each 35 cm deep, are drilled at the bottom of the planting hole alongside the planting ball. These holes are filled with four bags of Herbafertilยฎ, which promote healthy root growth and quicker establishment, thereby reducing the risk of windthrow for the tree seedling. Watering through a narrow perforated drainage pipe at the base of the planting hole encourages deep root development, minimizes evaporation of the applied water, and ensures its prolonged presence in the soil. Additionally, the holes containing Herbafertilยฎ allow for drainage of excess moisture from the planting hole during wet conditions. In dry periods, the tree can draw water from the Herbafertilยฎ bags, which retain moisture. The loose composition of Herbafertilยฎ also facilitates gas exchange within the tree’s root system, making it more difficult for pathogenic fungi and microorganisms to thrive in the soil.
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