The Challenge: Protecting Trees During a Long-Term Build

A building contractor undertaking the demolition and rebuild of a residential property faced strict conditions around protecting the site’s mature trees. An arborist’s report outlined legal obligations to prevent root damage, soil compaction, and the use of impermeable materials near the root protection area.

With a 60-week project ahead, the client needed a solution that would ensure the health and longevity of the trees while still allowing safe vehicle and equipment access around the property.

The GroundGuards Solution: AlturnaMat Mats

GroundGuards recommended AlturnaMat as the ideal protection system for this job. Each mat weighs just 86 lbs, making them easy to handle and install without machinery. Despite their low weight, the mats are exceptionally strong and capable of supporting loads up to 120 tons.

AlturnaMat mats were laid by hand to create a robust, semi-permeable surface that spread the weight of traffic and prevented compaction over the grassed root protection area. The modular system allowed full coverage beneath the tree canopy and could be extended or repositioned as needed throughout the build.

With reusability in mind, the contractor chose to purchase the mats for future use across similar projects.

Results & Outcome: Long-Term Protection and Cost Efficiency

The installation was a success. No tree roots were damaged or severed during the 60-week construction, and the ground remained in excellent condition throughout. The mats proved to be a smart investment, offering protection that met legal requirements while giving the contractor a durable asset for future builds.

Contact GroundGuards for Tree Root Protection Advice

If your project involves working around trees, it is essential to protect the roots properly to avoid legal issues and costly remediation. GroundGuards offers a range of proven solutions, and our white paper on tree root protection explains the science and best practices in detail. Download the white paper here or contact our team for tailored support.