LID Tree Pit Systems

Use Low Impact Development (LID) to manage stormwater at source while creating the conditions urban trees need to thrive.

The Challenge

Urban sites need to manage runoff without sacrificing space for healthy trees. LID tree pits use soil, planting and engineered components to capture, filter and manage water close to where it falls.

Controlling stormwater inflow and temporary storage

Maintaining drainage and root-zone aeration

Properly supported sidewalks and paved areas

Working around roadways, utilities and services

How LID Tree Pits Manage Water

LID tree pits manage runoff within the planting system rather than sending it directly to conventional drainage. Water is captured, filtered and stored in the soil volume, then infiltrated, taken up by the tree or released in a controlled way before entering wider drainage networks.

Temporary stormwater storage within soil volume

Infiltration into surrounding soil where appropriate

Tree uptake and evapotranspiration through the canopy

ArborFlow

LID Tree Pit System

ArborFlow combines tree planting with Low Impact Development, capturing and managing stormwater in the tree pit.

Key characteristics include:

Controlled entry of surface runoff into the tree pit


Stormwater storage provided within engineered soil volumes


Integration with structural soil cell systems where needed


Compatible with standard sidewalk construction methods


Layouts that adapt to site conditions and drainage strategies

Building a Complete LID Tree Pit

An effective LID tree pit depends on several elements working as one system. Together they manage how water enters, moves through and leaves the tree pit while protecting rooting conditions and supporting paved surfaces above.

Soil cells, storage and distribution components, irrigation and aeration, root management and tree protection can be selected and configured to suit the hydraulic, planting and site requirements of each project.

Soil Cells

Protects uncompacted rooting soil beneath sidewalks and other paved urban surfaces

ArborCell

Provides attenuation storage and distributes water evenly throughout integrated ArborFlow systems

ArborFlow

Captures, filters, stores and reuses stormwater within an integrated tree pit to support healthy urban trees

RootRain

Delivers irrigation water and air directly to the root zone for healthy growth

Irrigation & Aeration

Supports healthy root conditions through irrigation and oxygen exchange below ground

Geotextiles & Membranes

Provides filtration, separation and stability within the below-ground pit system

Technical Support for LID Design

Site conditions, drainage objectives and tree requirements vary by project. Our technical team supports hydraulic design, CAD coordination, specification and appropriate system selection to help develop an effective LID tree pit strategy.

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Your Project

Planning a streetscape, park, campus or commercial development? Our team supports LID tree pit design, selection, specification, CAD coordination and technical requirements from early design through installation.

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