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Tree Protection Explained

Tree Guards, Tree Grilles and Tree Grille Frames Explained

Please click on the links below to find out more information on the following:

• Tree Guards

• Tree Grilles

• Tree Grille Frames

Tree Guards

Guards offer protection to the vulnerable trunk of young or newly planted trees and are particularly recommended in areas prone to vandalism or theft. They are manufactured in strong mild steel welded construction and can be supplied in a hot dipped galvanised finish to provide long-term durability.

Guards can of course be used independently of a grille, most usually when the tree is planted in soft surrounds rather than hard surfaces.

Guards are supplied in two parts to allow them to be installed after tree planting. This also means that when the tree matures and becomes strong enough to no longer require protection, the guards can be readily removed and reused elsewhere. For this reason all nut and bolt fixings are of a standard type, although anti-tamper fixings
can be supplied for areas where the risk of theft/vandalism is high.

Furnitubes’ universal galvanised steel clamp assembly (above left) enables the guard to be clamped onto almost any grille. The ingenious clamp pivots to accept different grille thicknesses and is tolerant during installation for site conditions. For steeper gradients of site level or when guards are used without grilles, guards can be fixed directly into the ground using a bolt-on extended leg. This may be firmly root fixed or concreted in to resist vandalism.

There are many variations in guard styles, all with an elegance of line that serves to complement the form of the tree. 1.8m is the typical height above ground and protects the trunk from vandals whilst also being below the clear-stem height of standard and extra heavy standard tree stock.

Tree Grilles

Visually, grilles help to accentuate the placement of a tree and to add character to large paved areas.

Furnitubes’ tree grilles are available in a wide range of designs and are supplied in two or more segments to allow for installation after tree planting. The decorative apertures are typically filled with loose pea shingle or permeable resin-bonded gravel to allow water to penetrate to the roots of the tree. All grilles are designed to be
installed flush within the surrounding paving in order to prevent potential trip hazards.

Standard grilles are suitable for pedestrian traffic, but many can be upgraded for areas of light traffic with a Medium Duty frame specification. For heavier traffic and increased loading performance a special Heavy Duty frame is recommended.

The grille may also be cast in ductile iron, which has a superior load-bearing capacity.

TREE GRILLE SECURITY
The majority of Furnitubes grilles are heavy enough to resist opportunistic vandalism (for example, each half of the Sunburst 1245mm square grille weighs in excess of 50kg).

Also, a grille that is assembled onto a guard with Furnitubes’ unique clamp fixings, will also help prevent theft.
However, some sites in problem areas may require additional measures to be taken. Many of our grilles overlap or have tabs that enable them to be drilled, tapped and fixed together on-site. Alternatively, special security clamp plates may be used.

LOGOS
Furnitubes Oxford tree grille can be supplied with cast plaques that can be used for corporate sponsorship, logos or heritage crests.

IRRIGATION
Some clients prefer to fill the decorative gaps on tree grilles with resin-bound aggregate to prevent litter ingress. However, this also restricts water intake. Some of Furnitubes grilles are available with corner irrigation on inlet holes to enable manual watering.

Tree Grille Frames

Tree grilles can be installed without a frame on a suitable in-situ or pre-cast concrete foundation. However, if the grille is to fit well this generally requires accurate, time consuming and therefore costly formwork or setting out.

STANDARD GRILLE FRAME

The alternative is to use a purpose-made tree grille frame to provide a correctly dimensioned and flat edge upon which the grille is located.

If the tree rootball can be effectively planted through the central aperture of a frame, then a one-part frame can be used and installed prior to planting, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the tree. For larger trees, a two-part grille frame is generally preferred.

The frame provides stability, helps prevent sagging and gives a straight edge up to which the paving can abut, providing a neater finished detail.

The welded steel frames are hot dipped galvanised as standard - it is not necessary to paint the frame since only the very top edge is visible after the grille has been installed (see photos below). Welded tabs on the underside face of the frame allow for keying the frame into a concrete bed for a secure foundation.

MEDIUM-DUTY GRILLE FRAME

Standard frames are suitable for pedestrian traffic, but many can be made suitable for areas of light traffic by upgrading to a Medium Duty frame, to support up to 6.5 tonnes SM WL vehicle overrun. This four part frame is a lot deeper and is re-inforced with a special steel grid framework.

HEAVY-DUTY GRILLE FRAME

In order to meet the increased loading performance required for heavier traffic a special Heavy Duty frame may be required in combination with a special grille, cast in ductile iron, which has a superior load-bearing capacity. Please contact our Technical Sales department for advice regarding your specific requirements.