Structure and method for enabling tree root growth beneath adjacent surfaces
OwnerDonna Lilborninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A walkway adjacent trees is made up of modular sections of perforated plates supported on hinged frames that are supported on spaced piers. Retaining edges of biodegradable material serve to maintain a shallow trench beneath the perforated plates into which leaves or mulch are periodically added. This provides a root-friendly zone under the walkway for tree roots that are watered through the perforated plates and may grow without damaging the walkway. A fringe of plantings maintains the trench level when the biodegradable material disintegrates.
Claims14
A structure for enabling tree root growth beneath a walkway adjacent to at least one tree having roots planted in soil, said structure comprising:
- a first row of spaced support piers disposed near said tree within reach of tree root growth and defining one side of said walkway,
- a second row of spaced support piers defining the other side of said walkway,
- a shallow trench extending along said walkway between said first and second rows, said shallow trench having sidewalls extending to a first selected depth below the level of said soil, and
- a cover member supported on selected piers, said cover member having a load-bearing surface covering a portion of said shallow trench and being permeable so as to allow water to percolate therethrough upon said soil, said cover member being movable so as to temporarily allow access for adding nourishing elements to said soil.
A structure for enabling tree root growth beneath a walkway adjacent to at least one tree having roots planted in soil, said structure comprising:
- a first row of spaced support piers disposed near said tree within reach of tree root growth and defining one side of said walkway,
- a second row of spaced support piers defining the other side of said walkway,
- a shallow trench extending along said walkway between said first and second rows said shallow trench having sidewalls extending to a first selected depth below the level of said soil,
- a plurality of load-bearing members supported on selected piers, and
- a cover member having a load-bearing surface supported on said load-bearing members and covering a portion of said trench, said load-bearing surface being permeable so as to allow water to percolate therethrough upon said soil, and at least one hinge connecting said cover member to a said load-bearing member, whereby said cover member may be lifted on said hinge so as to temporarily uncover said trench portion to allow access for adding nourishing elements to said soil.
Method for enabling tree root growth beneath a surface adjacent to at least one tree having roots, said method comprising:
- (a) providing a plurality of spaced support piers disposed within reach of root growth from said tree, a shallow trench having side walls extending between spaced support piers, and a cover member having a load-bearing surface supported on selected piers and covering a portion of said shallow trench, said load-bearing surface being permeable so as to allow water to percolate therethrough,
- (b) substantially filling said trench with leaves or mulch for promoting tree root growth, and
- (c) periodically opening said cover member and adding leaves or mulch to replace the previously added leaves or mulch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.