Tree Planting

Platypus RFP systems

RFP systems are driven into the soil directly under the tree’s root ball, before the backfilling process starts. Matting, is placed over the root ball and wires are attached to the anchors, forming a triangle of support holding the tree’s roots secure with no visible support showing above ground. We recommend the RFP systems for ornamental planting of all tree sizes.

Platypus G systems

The G systems anchors are driven into the soil outside the planting pit, three soft collars are placed around the trees stem. The anchors and supports wires are connected and tightened supporting the tree from the crown. We recommend the G system for trees of all sizes, planted in partially exposed conditions.

Dead man system

The dead man tree supports are placed below the bottom of the tree pit, with wires attached to connect them to mats placed over the root ball. The wires are then connected and tensioned to secure the roots to the ground. We recommend the dead man system for trees of all sizes in urban planting, or if services are located below the planting pit.

Tree stake & tie

Tree stakes are driven into the ground vertically outside the planting pit into compacted soil. Rubber tie or hessian then connect the stem of the tree to the stake holding the tree from roughly 1m up the stem. We recommend trees stakes for smaller trees up to 20-25cm in girth.

We install watering pipes as standard on all tree planting projects. The pipe allows the tree to have water delivered directly to the roots removing the risk of thinking you have watered the tree and in fact most of the water has just run off or evaporated. Our root watering systems are simply perforated pipes with a neat plastic grill that sits at ground level. Easy to find when needed but blending into the background when not.

Adding a mulch ring over the root system of a newly planted tree is standard practice for our planting teams. Once the planting pit is backfilled correctly, a mulch ring should be applied, ideally the same size as the canopy of the tree.

The mulch helps insulate the tree’s roots from weather extremes, keeping the roots cool and moist in the summer and prevents the soil from freezing in the winter. The mulch will also break down over time enriching the soil over the roots. Mulch also helps with reducing weeds and preventing traffic over the roots of the tree. A mulch circle is beneficial to all trees and should always be applied if practical.

The tree’s weight, height, type, and planting location will define what machinery is needed to plant a tree. Smaller trees can be lifted by hand and the planting pit dug with a spade. Larger trees require more equipment, such as 360 excavators, 4×4 forklift trucks and possibly a mobile crane. Large tree planting should be carried out by an experienced team to avoid any damage to the tree, the property or people working on the project.

How much water a tree requires is dependent on the environment its located, the type off tree it is and how large the tree is when planted. Our advice is to monitor the tree regularly until established.  As a rule, the soil around the roots should not be allowed to dry out at any point.  A dry root ball of newly planted trees can cause the tree to fail regardless of how long it was dry for.

Mulch will aid in keeping moisture in the soil around the roots, but we still recommend regular watering in the spring / summer & autumn months keeping the soil moist at all times. Drip line irrigation can help if multiple trees are planted at once.