Tree Coach is a wholly Australian-owned, designed, and manufactured tree planting, staking, watering and light protection solution for mature trees.
There has been no change in how trees are planted or staked for as long as anyone can remember. Traditional methods continue to deliver traditional results: the average tree establishment failure rate across all Australian councils in the first five years of establishment, excluding vandalism, is greater than 20 per cent. That’s a lot of tree failures.
Burnley Horticulture, part of the University of Melbourne, conducted a comprehensive study of tree establishment in 2018, and found five pillars relating to establishment. Three of those five pillars – correct planting depth, lateral movement of the trunk, and reduction in trunk damage – relate directly to tree installation methods.
Excellent support
Tree Coach informs the correct excavation width and depth, at least two times the root-ball size, and acts as a level aid to align the surrounding soil with the top of the root ball. It is very lightweight and easy to handle, significantly reducing material handling requirements and supply-chain loads. Once the hole is excavated, the Tree Coach unit, assembled by hand, is placed in the hole.
The tree is placed inside the Tree Coach unit, and backfilling can start. Once backfilled and compacted by hand and foot around the installation, the base frame and the stakes firm up well to correctly support the tree once tied. Then, the crowning achievement of Tree Coach is realised. With the installation complete, Tree Coach provides supported lateral movement to the trunk to establish a trunk and root system suitable for its growing environment.
Complete planting package
The most hazardous component of staking with hardwood is the need for stake ramming. The Tree Coach design eliminates this component, and WorkSafe Victoria recognised this in its 2021 awards, where Tree Coach was a noted finalist. The unit has a built-in watering bowl to deliver consistent water volumes to the root plate, making maintenance more precise and easier to achieve. Further, the V-shaped stakes allow water to flow to the lower root zone.
Locally owned
Tree Coach is a wholly Australian-owned, designed, and manufactured tree planting, staking, watering and light protection solution for mature trees. Made in Melbourne from recovered kerbside waste, every component is fully recyclable, leaving zero residual plastic in the ground. Think about your standard 240L recycling bin at home. That, full of loose recyclable plastics, will produce anywhere between three to five complete Tree Coach units. Sustainability Victoria chose Tree Coach as its marquee partner in its current ‘Small Acts, Big Impact’ campaign, where advice to residents to recycle correctly will result in products with wide-ranging benefits – benefits such as Tree Coach.
Available
Currently, Tree Coach is being specified, bought, or trialled by over 90 councils across Australia and all the major councils in New Zealand. In Australia, you can purchase Tree Coach from Arborgreen.
Contact the Arborgreen team at 1300 760 642, email sales@arborgreen.com.au, or log on to arborgreen.com.au.
