Calke Abbey Ancient Tree

Case Study Cellweb®TRP Helping to Protect Ancient Trees

Location: Calke Abbey ‘The Old Man of Calke’ is Calke Abbey’s oldest tree and is thought to be Ticknall up to 1200 years old. With the average age of large oak trees in Britain Derby being 200 years it certainly is the ‘Old Man’ of oak trees. Put into context, Derbyshire this means that this tree would have been 200 years old when William the DE73 7LE Conqueror arrived in Britain.

Project Description: Many years of heavy footfall had caused a worms to help alleviate the ground compaction Provide a solution to prevent significant increase in soil compaction beneath and aerate the soil. further die back of ‘The Old Man one side of the tree. This had resulted in reduced A layer of Treetex geotextile was then laid on top, water and oxygen availability to roots beneath of Calke’ at Calke Abbey acting as a separation layer and pollution control this compacted ground. This was reflected in measure. Panels of Cellweb®TRP were then laid the crown, which was displaying accelerated on top of the Treetex and infilled with a clean and significant die back on the footpath side. angular stone. The Cellweb®TRP would minimise A solution needed to be found to alleviate the any further compaction within the rooting existing soil compaction and minimize further environment, while decomposers would naturally future compaction, ultimately preventing further aerate the ground, reducing soil bulk density. The die back. use of Cellweb®TRP infilled with clean angular Geosynthetics’ engineeering team and in house stone would also allow the continued permeation arboriculturalist worked with Brian Muelaner, of water and gas exchange between rooting Technical Requirements: the ancient tree advisor at the National Trust, to environment and atmosphere. provide a solution to prevent the further decline • Solution to alleviate existing This whole project was designed, supplied of this ancient tree. soil compaction and and installed courtesy of Geosynthetics. The A 90mm layer of mulched wood chip was Geosynthetics Tree Root Protection Team donated encourage decomposers applied to the existing ground surface before the their time, knowledge and products to ensure that • To minimise further soil installation of the Cellweb®TRP system. This was this tree will survive for generations to come. compaction used to encourage decomposers such as earth

Installer: Geosynthetics Limited National Trust

Fleming Road “This is an exciting new development in how to reduce compaction Harrowbrook Industrial Estate damage from vehicles and footfall to an ancient tree’s roots, Hinckley LE10 3DU made possible by the generous donation by Geosynthetics in time, Tel. 01455 617 139 expertise and materials.” [email protected] www.geosyn.co.uk Brian Muelaner - Ancient Tree Advisor - National Trust WWW.GEOSYN.CO.UK CALL: 01455 617139

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