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. 13
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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
Green Water Smart Space Air
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
GBU - 30 Year Supplement.indd 20
RootSpace
HydroPlanter
Street Furniture
Suspended pavement support system
Modular ‘Plug & Play’ Rain Garden
Unique street furniture designs
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