GreenBlue Urban: Celebrating 30 Years

GREENBLUE URBAN

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

YEARS

199

2 - 2022

Creating healthier urban spaces in harmony with nature

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Harnessing the power of nature to enhance the built environment!

It’s not just a tree – it’s an incredible air cleaning, flood

So, we invite readers to join us in celebrating 30 years

reducing, urban cooling, shade providing, health

- to participate in the great mission of bringing living,

improving, pollution removing, aesthetically breath

breathing plants into the heart of the most challenging

taking, urban miracle.

urban situations.

Oh, and it also happens to increase real estate values,

We could speak of it as the art of intelligently

enhance retail sales, improve school academic results, boost hospital convalescence rates, protect from ram raids and reduce urban crime levels.

A tree is the only thing we know of, that you can put in an urban environment and (if planted with appropriate uncompacted soil volume) will proceed to increase in value with every year it lives.

When one looks back at the estimated number of trees planted within GreenBlue’s urban tree systems, the mind starts to wonder at the sheer scale of accumulating ecosystem benefits those trees represent – countless and often overlooked benefits, which in turn impact positively on the everyday lives of innumerable people. This achievement is its own reward!

integrating nature into urban spaces – enabling Harnessing the power the construction of nature to enhanceof truly sustainable and beautiful the built environment! environments, for the benefit of future generations.

Welcome to Edition 10 – GreenBlue Urban’s new urban green and blue infrastructure manual. This book represents the culmination of 30 years of learning and experience, principally in the urban tree planting world, but also across a wider spectrum of green and blue infrastructure projects in many countries.

GreenBlue Urban operates at the challenging interface between nature and the built environment. We thrive where hard landscape meets

this isevery our focus and core purpose as a journey – We are here to supportsoft, you step of the company.

We invite the user of this guide to explore and

enjoy - to participate in the great mission of lean on our teams expertise, as you weave nature into

Within its pages you will learn about 30 years of product innovation, teamwork, hard work and persistence – and 30 years of tree growth in demanding urban environments!

Edition 10 is like a mosaic of where we are today – building a complete picture of ‘best practice’ urban tree planting – guiding the industry through the products and methodologies to assist them in successfully establishing long term trees and other living plants in our towns and cities.

bringing living, breathing plants into the heart of the most challenging urban situations.

the fabric of your urban space designs!

This manual also details how the ‘blue’ can be engineered in with the ‘green,’ unlocking the potential of nature-based solutions for storm water interventions – an area GreenBlue Urban has made its own.

When one looks back at the estimated number of trees planted within GreenBlue’s urban tree systems, the mind starts to wonder at the sheer scale of accumulating ecosystem benefits those trees represent – countless and often overlooked benefits, which in turn impact positively on the everyday lives of innumerable people. This achievement is its own reward!

We could speak of it as the art of intelligently integrating nature into urban spaces – enabling the construction of truly sustainable and beautiful environments, for the benefit of future generations.

We are here to support you every step of the journey – lean on our teams expertise, as you weave ‘nature’ into the ‘fabric’ of your urban space designs!

Dean Bowie

CEO, GreenBlue Dean Bowie Urban CEO, GreenBlue Urban

As we at GreenBlue Urban continue to find ways of improving lives through functional and beautiful urban greening, we have the privilege of knowing that we are, and will continue to be, improving the quality of urban living for all.

As we at GreenBlue Urban continue to find ways of improving lives through functional and beautiful urban greening, we have the privilege of knowing that we are, and will continue to be, improving the quality of urban living for all.

GreenBlue Urban operates at the challenging interface between nature and the built environment. We thrive where hard landscape meets soft, this is our focus and core purpose as a company.

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1992

1996

1998

2002

2007

Greenleaf sets up as

Greenleaf introduces

A more comprehensive

Arbor ystem – the first tree

The StrataCell was

a partnership business, in

a range of root management

range of urban tree products

pit packages formulated

launched – and further

a domestic garage, and the

products – including e oot

began to come together,

– allowed for a complete

products followed, such

first oot ain

their own patented shallow

along with the oot ain

suite of products to be easily

as underground guying

waterer was patented and

root management product

Urban – our best-selling

specified and installed,

and new ArborVent

launched to the market.

and oot

tree irrigation product.

all from a single source.

aeration products.

etro tree

irector.

e were

no longer just addressing causes of tree mortality, but also products to help with shallow root heave problems which create difficulties for many local authorities.

19 92

20 01 2009

1995

1997

2001

2003

New larger tree waterers

ove to new premises,

oot ell – the first

Following continuing

During this period, Greenleaf continued

launched – Civic and

roft oad in astings,

commercial soil cell system

growth, Greenleaf moved

Precinct, in response to

3500 square ft – a real

launched – this was another

to new premises, Haywood

market demand.

step forward.

major development, and

ay astings – a bigger

a global first for Greenleaf.

building and plot, allowing us to further expand – and have some of our product

with further product enhancements, grilles and guards, and building export markets.

trials on site.

The GreenBlue Timeline 30 years of urban tree planting and SuDS innovation 4

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2013

2015

2017

2020

2022

Further growth necessitated

GreenBlue moved into

Here, we celebrated 25 years

Continuing research into

The product range

moving Greenleaf to

Northpoint, Compass

of growth and reflected on

plastic material alternatives

expands to include

h

a company structure and

Park – these excellent

the impact our products

and a focus on the circular

ReLuminate, our off-

g

meant a massive rebrand

facilities have given us the

have had in enhancing

economy lead to the

grid street light, and

to the current GreenBlue

infrastructure for the next

urban tree success, and the

introduction of RootSpace

the HydroPlanter Flex

Urban Ltd. The new name

stage of growth, additional

millions of lives that those

Ocean, combining our 100%

raingarden system.

reflected the move towards

warehousing, office space,

same trees enhance.

recycled material with post-

increasing the integration

product trial areas and

of trees and water-sensitive

training facilities, all set

urban design.

in beautiful grounds.

industry fishing waste.

20 13

20 20

2014

2016

2019

2021

Building commenced on

Saw the launch of

Saw the introduction of

GreenBlue Urban introduces two new arms

our new purpose-built

RootSpace state of the

HydroPlanter, our innovative

headquarters building

art soil panel system

‘plug & play’ raingarden

to the business, Smart

located in East Sussex.

– a culmination of our

system, designed to

Space & Air, to included

extensive experience in

make the installation

street furniture and

soil cell systems globally,

and implementation of

systems that mitigate

simultaneously reducing

raingardens simple.

air pollution.

costs and improving performance and usability.

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Celebrating 20 years of soil cell innovation A vision to guarantee long-term tree survival prompted GreenBlue’s CEO, Dean Bowie, to think hard about how the natural forest floor environment could be recreated. he solution was to find a way to support the hard surface above to keep the high uality soil in optimum condition. owadays the idea of a soil cell is mainstream, but back in it was revolutionary.

Nowadays the idea of a soil cell is mainstream, but back in 2000 it was revolutionary.

he first prototypes were constructed from grass support tiles, allowing fine tree roots to access the uncompacted soil within the cellular structure. roving uickly that this methodology gave trees the best chance of early independence within the landscape meant that a cost effective cell was brought to market and the oot ell was born the first soil cell in the world to be

hotograph of oot pace

double height being tested.

designed solely for the establishment of tree roots. material, fully interlocking with adjacent cells, both vertically and hori ontally and very high loading capacity, the trata ell soon became the most specified and installed soil cell in the world.

GreenBlue Urban started design on an entirely new soil cell system.

ith a clear message from the consultation

industry, customers wanted a soil cell system that was simple to fill with soil, that could accommodate larger utilities and cheaper to install.

In

, oot pace was launched with a

manufactured in the U from recyclable up to

arly oot ell tree pit detail.

soil volume

recycled material

times , high load bearing capacity,

an innovative aeration cap guaranteeing even air movement owever, there were concerns from civil and highway engineers

and a structural side panel greatly increasing the lateral load

about the long term structural conse uences of placing

capacity reducing the need for concrete shuttering adjacent

plastic beneath a load bearing surface. egular third party

to heavily used highways .

and internal testing did provide peace of mind. he oot pace Gen he trata ell was launched in

, with more than ten times

the oot pace

followed in

with the inclusion of

to enable a wide range of depths to be

the volume of the oot ell, was uicker to install, easier to

constructed. In

fill, cheaper to ship and more cost effective to buy.

stamp of international testing guaranteeing uality, and the

the advantages of being manufactured from

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ith all recycled

BBA approval was granted, an enviable

only soil cell in the world to achieve this certification.

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Aerial photograph of our Bodiam HQ and manufacturing facility

RootSpace Generation 2 installation, Kings Crescent, Hackney

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StrataCell Installation, BBC Television Centre, White City

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Creating healthier spaces in harmony with nature

Congratulations on your 30th anniversary!

We love working with such a professional and innovative company, improving the urban environment countrywide. Here’s to many more years creating sustainable street landscapes together!

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EW NE VI LI N O

Creating Healthier Urban Spaces in Harmony with Nature

StreetPark UK offer a variety of street furniture for creating amazing outdoor spaces that help connect people with nature.

T: +44 (0)1580 830 800 E: enquiries@greenblue.com W: streetpark.co.uk

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Wapping Wharf, Bristol

Developer:

use

Tottenham Hotspur, London

evelopments

Umbleside

Client:

Tottenham Hotspur FC

Landscape Architect:

Gillespies Oxford

Landscape Architect:

Populous

Landscape Contractor:

Afan Landscapes

Landscape Contractor:

Willerby Landscapes

Wapping Wharf (Phase One) was announced as the residential award

As of 2022, Tottenham Hotspur has been recognised as the greenest

winner in 2017 at the Mitchelmore Property Awards. The land chosen

club and most sustainable football team within the premier league.

to redevelop once stood derelict and regeneration has brought the

The Club is a signatory of the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework,

area back to life with a modern touch.

including the high ambition track “Race To Zero,” committing to halving emissions by 2030 and being net-zero carbon by 2040.

The project encompasses a host of independent eateries, shops, and ‘CARGO’ pop-ups. The transformation included green corridors

The tree planting located on the High Road has allowed the stadium

to enhance pedestrian footfall, and cycleways for active travel,

to consider its sustainability objectives in terms of reducing carbon

allowing this area to become socially inclusive for all!

emissions and improving air quality and biodiversity for all by contributing to the area’s enhanced green canopy cover.

Using RootSpace G2, the tree pits have a 600m depth of uncompacted forest floor soil hidden below the cobbled streets. he oot

irectors

GreenBlue Urban assisted with the design for installation of six

below the surface will encourage the tree roots to grow down into the

trees using RootSpace 600 below ground to create a healthy

open soil void, eliminating any opportunity for pavement upheave.

linked space. e oot

The trees had one last high-quality shimmer to complete the look,

20 and RootStart Mycorrhiza will all support root growth and

custom roundel designed tree grilles crowning each tree that adds

ma imum maturity. he finished look was complemented with

character to the completed feel of the scheme. Sunday Times has

a series of lyde

cited Wapping Wharf as the “best address on the Bristol harbourside”.

for this high trafficked area.

Products used:

Products used:

RootSpace Pavement Support System

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RootDirector Root Management

RootSafe Root Management 10

RootSpace Pavement Support System

, ArborGuy

eadman Anchors, oot oil

ree Grilles providing a high uality finish

RootDirector Root Management

ArborGuy Underground Guying

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Chase Farm Hospital, Enfield

Haskins Garden Centre, Sussex

Architects / Engineers:

IBI Group

Local Authority:

Crawley Borough Council

Construction Engineers:

Vinci

Landscape Architect:

Floyd Matcham

Landscape Contractor:

Cultura Group

Landscape Contractor:

Agrovista Amenity

In just four years this new hospital was built, complete with the latest

Having established itself as one of the leading garden centres in the

technology available to patients, excellent access for disabled visitors

area, the Haskins Garden Centre chain recognised the need redevelop

and built with sustainability in mind. SuDS was at the forefront of the

its Snowhill centre in Crawley due to a number of ageing on-site

development, using a mixture of swales in soft areas, and GreenBlue

buildings inherited when it took ownership of the site in 2003.

Urban’s ArborFlow system in hard areas to manage stormwater run off.

In order to maintain its upstanding reputation, the garden centre Using RootSpace 600 and StormForm panel system, water and

undertook a £15m redevelopment programme, temporarily scaling

pollutants are stored in the soil with roots directed below the

down the centre and continuing to trade on a site adjacent to its main

paving, creating optimum soil conditions for root growth,

premises as of March 2019 whilst construction commenced.

maximising water take up (evapotranspiration) and canopy interception. he finished look speaks volumes and are topped

GreenBlue Urban were able to assist with the planting of 20 trees of a

off with wonderful-looking custom Clyde Tree Grilles and up

variety of species, planted in the full RootSpace ArborSystem, complete

lighters to give the wow factor.

with Root Management products, irrigation, aeration and above ground protection, an essential component to protecting newly

As these trees grow, their efficiency will grow, not only dealing with

planted urban trees in a car park scenario.

water, but providing shade and cooling, which will help make Chase Farm Hospital resilient for the future – caring for patients comfortably in prime conditions, whilst the trees give us canopies for centuries.

Products used:

StormForm SuDS Inlet

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Products used:

RootSpace 600 Pavement Support System

Clyde Tree Grille Tree Surrounds

Ullswater Tree Grille Tree Surrounds

RootRain ArborVent Irrigation & Aeration

ArborResin Precast Tree Surrounds

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Continuing Research & Innovation

Cool Towns Project Monitoring

Research and development have been fundamental to the progress at GreenBlue Urban. cientific collaboration and testing give proven and consistently reliable results, helping to guarantee long term benefits. Using professional engineers and arboriculturists we regularly carry out testing on installed systems for improved innovation.

The tree pit installation at Maynard Avenue, Margate, Kent was carried out as part of the Cool Towns pilot study, designed to evaluate different options to help reduce the effects of Heat Stress in urban areas.

Whilst the trees, and the cooling effect are being monitored by the EU Interreg program and participating universities, GreenBlue Urban have invested in below ground water outflow monitoring equipment.

This measurement enables us to map the drainage discharge rates, and compare them with rainfall data, thus increasing our knowledge and ability to accurately design SuDS enabled tree pits that will be resilient to climate change.

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North Street, Keighley

he u

Arborflow installation at

IOT Enabled Tree Pits

orth treet, eighley,

est

It has historically been difficult to reliably assess what is happening

orkshire has proved to be a huge success reducing pressure on

in the rooting one of a tree.

hilst core sampling can be useful, it

the combined sewer network by draining the highway, and showing

only gives us information at a point in time, rather than informing us

phenomenal tree growth.

of the changes over time, and during different system. o fully understand how the

technology, with state of the art

availability of water in the soil

communication e uipment has

affects tree evapo transpiration,

been installed at the Gospel all

GreenBlue Urban commissioned

development adjacent to our

IrosA B, an independent

in ast usse .

odern sensor

arboricultural consultancy, to measure the sap flow of these

Rainfall data is collected at

trees, and report on the efficiency

a weather station, with monitoring

of the tree in water uptake. he

points within the soil, and at

results were stunning – these trees

the outfall point, allowing us to

had the ability to draw up to .

calculate both the attenuation

litres per hour each –

volume and discharge reduction

of

which can be used by the tree

from the Arbor low tree

for evapo transpiration.

pit systems.

his not insignificant volume

his data assists with ustainable

rainage calculations, informing

directly affects local air conditions,

us of the different evapo transpiration rates for each season, and

both in brin ging down the

confirming the efficacy of green infrastructure when used as part

temperature, but cleaning the

of a drainage system.

air. hese tests will be repeated in following years, with regular measurement of the tree growth to ac uire data that enables us to accurately predict the water draw figures, with possible reduction in below ground water storage re uirements by local authorities.

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Carbon Footprint Strategy GreenBlue Urban publishes a corporate GHG Inventory Report annually in accordance with I

Reducing Emissions Goal: reduce stage 1 direct and 2 indirect emissions by

by

.

Carbon Neutral From 2020, GBU is committed to annually offsetting all residual stage 1 direct and

indirect emissions using verified

U forestry offsetting schemes.

Net Zero Goal achieve net ero by

.

9 Trees Business Partner From 2020, GBU is committed to annually offsetting all residual stage 1 direct and 2 indirect emissions using verified U forestry offsetting schemes.

100% Recycled materials A majority of our products are 100% recycled, virtually all contain a large proportion of recycled material.

UK Manufacturing or the lowest carbon footprint – over

of our

products are manufactured completely in U .

Environment-centric products ur whole company is built around boosting tree growth, se uestering carbon, and nature based water cleansing u

systems.

Power and water use n site manufacturing uses solar power. All facilities here use water from a borehole in our own grounds.

E

eet e have a policy of moving the entire company

vehicle fleet over to

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or hybrid power.

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Congratulations! 30 Years

Simplifying supply chains for 25 years e: info@mcm-se.com www.mcm-se.com

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What has been your greatest achievement in and out of work?

Meet the team

Navigating our way through the pandemic years, not knowing what to expect next but achieving excellent results in both 2020 and 2021. Out of work has been to see my daughter happily married and becoming a grandfather!

Adrian Paynter Sales Manager

How would you best describe your job role at GBU?

Karlos Woodcock Account Manager

I pride myself on being approachable and accountable for managing my accounts from tender to order stage.

I really enjoy being present on site giving advice on installation techniques to industry colleagues.

What makes your role fulfilling, what drives you to achieve?

I get a great sense of achievement when you pick up a project at the early stages and see it through to completion.

Seeing successful trees doing well on various fantastic projects that GreenBlue have been a part of drives me to assist with future urban landscaping and tree planting solutions.

Dale Bowie Estimator

What do you do outside of work for fun?

What makes you excited to get up and come to work? very day is filled with new challenges which makes my role exciting and keeps me on my toes!

Marcella Polinski Customer Service Team Leader

Ben Anderson Technical Consultant

Spending time with my wife and my four-year-old son.

I enjoy helping him find out things he enjoys. He’s obsessed with all things nature and insect related, so we often go out looking for snails, dragonfly’s or Stanleys (which are his name for roly poly bugs or woodlouse).

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What makes your role fulfilling, drives you to achieve?

Assisting engineers and designers in their quest for sustainable green infrastructure within our urban areas. The huge potential for retrofitting sustainable urban drainage has simply not been realised yet!

ow would you est descri e your o role at ?

Supporting the excellent Marketing team with presentations, lectures, and events, providing enthusiastic education for all who listen!

James Dalrymple Technical Consultant

Howard Gray pecification onsultant

What makes your role fulfilling, what drives you to achieve?

What do you do outside of work for fun?

My son Seb and I ride our motorbikes, play the drums, walk the dog, drink coffee and paint, not necessarily in that order though!

Louise Page Marketing Manager

Martin Murray Operations Manager

How would you best describe your job role at GBU?

What is your ultimate career goal?

As Managing Director, Roy sees himself as a facilitator across the UK, Export and North American teams, thriving on exceeding targets and maintaining positive wellbeing amongst colleagues.

To organise successful memorable and profitable events globally to increase our brand within the industry and maintain genuine healthy professional relationships with our customers.

Hannah Cook Events and Marketing Coordinator

Roy Bowie Managing Director

What makes your role fulfilling, what drives you to achieve?

Shane Frost Operations Manager

Our continued success is largely down to our ability to adapt to change which has been a key priority over the last two years. It’s been a pleasure to see members of the team flourish, achieving individual goals with a passion to succeed.

What has been your greatest achievement in and out of work?

Celebrating his 19th year with GreenBlue, Shane’s passion of driving growth across the company is admirable and well respected. Shane worked profusely on Selfridges, a case study that GreenBlue prides itself on; enabling utilities to intertwine with urban tree pits.

eeling confident enough to price multi-million pound contracts as an estimator and running them to budget as a quantity surveyor.

Alison Johnson Estimator 17

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Edition 10 In celebration of our 30-year anniversary, we will shortly be launching our new and improved design guide. Visit our website today to register interest.

Visit greenblue.com/edition10

Resources Our website is full of industry-leading publications, datasheets and tools to enable the specification and successful implementation of both Green & Blue infrastructure.

Visit greenblue.com/resources

GreenBlue Gardens View and order all of our landscape and gardening products online, through GreenBlue Gardens, our online webshop.

Visit greenbluegardens.com

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Creating healthier spaces in harmony with nature

CONGRATULATIONS TH ON YOUR 30 ANNIVERSARY FROM ALL AT WWW.PROLANDSCAPERMAGAZINE.COM

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Enabling Resilient Spaces in Harmony with Nature

Green Water Smart Space Air

Green Water Smart Space Air

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Green Water Smart Space Air

YEARS

199

2 - 2022

Scan QR code to view more online

GreenBlue’s multifunctional SuDS solutions capture stormwater, remove pollutants, boost biodiversity, amenity and create enhanced urban spaces.

T: +44 (0)1580 830 800 E: enquiries@greenblue.com W: greenblue.com

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RootSpace

HydroPlanter

Street Furniture

Suspended pavement support system

Modular ‘Plug & Play’ Rain Garden

Unique street furniture designs

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