Good news for street trees

Published on 13 January 2025

We are excited to tell the community about the innovative tree technology we’ve installed as part of the Burns Bay Road upgrades.

Often, trees planted in urban areas struggle to grow and their roots often conflict with services, footpaths, kerb, gutters and roads due to compaction and inadequate soil volumes. Tree growth and vitality are strongly influenced by providing the space trees need to develop climate resilient root systems. That space needs to have soil volumes that provide the necessary movement of air, water, and other nutrients to help trees flourish.

Luckily, new technology, known as a structural soil vault system, is now available to support tree growth in these situations, using 100% recyclable materials. Lane Cove has installed two structural soil vault systems in preparation for new trees at the pedestrian crossing on Burns Bay Road between Tambourine Bay Road and Rosenthal Avenue.

The new structural soil vault systems will promote tree growth for a long period of time and provide shade for pedestrians. Unfortunately, the previous trees in these locations required removal as their root systems were being impacted by proximity to infrastructure. By taking this opportunity to provide underground support, the new trees will have greater longevity and chance to thrive in the urban environment.

This is the first time Council is using a structural soil vault system, and we are planning to use these systems in future St Leonards South street tree planting, as well as in other areas where the services allow.