By Gary Beaumont, Chameleon Ways

1: Excavate the tree pit. The area to be filled should be clean and dry. Specially designed fabric with slow release capsules of non penetrating weed control material shall be installed, if required.

If you're looking for a way to use natural stone aggregate to enhance surfaces, Chameleon Ways' knowledge in manufacturing and utilization of semi-clear binders combined with decorative aggregates from around the world come together to create surfaces where the natural color and beauty of the aggregate show.

This tree pit system is designed to provide an attractive and aesthetically pleasing porous paving system, using a variety of natural or recycled aggregates. The binder is mixed with a suitable natural or recycled aggregate with a typical grading of 6 to 10mm.The open texture achieved provides a highly porous surface allowing the tree roots access to both air and water penetration. Since the installations are installed flush with the surrounding paving areas they have the added advantage of not becoming a litter trap that can occur with traditional tree grates. Although this tree grate material is not capable of supporting vehicular traffic, by using paver trays filled with the resin and aggregate, areas can be trafficked, subject to being applied on a suitable base.

2: Next a minimum of 2 inches of the washed #57 or #67 aggregate should be applied to the base of the treated area to a maximum depth of 3 inches below the finished grade. At the base of the tree trunk the loose aggregate should be funneled upwards to a depth of 3/8 to 5/8 inch below the finished grade to allow for tree growth.

Surface Preparation

Areas to be filled should be clean and dry.

At the base of the tree trunk the loose aggregate should be funneled upwards to a depth of 3/8 to 5/8 inch below the finished grade. This area shall encompass diameter equal to the expected tree growth. This provides a weaker bond to allow the tree to grow unimpeded.

3:The mixture should be spread evenly across the prepared surface at the required depth. Mixtures consist of 6 to 10mm aggregate size and numerous decorative aggregate types to choose from.

Mixing and Application

Mixtures consist of 6 to 10mm aggregate size and numerous decorative aggregate types to choose from. Each aggregate size and type must meet a specific mix design which is dependant on the application. Mixing equipment should be a mixer of ample size to place pre-measured aggregates and resin. The mixer should have enough power to thoroughly blend aggregates and resin into homogenous mixture.

The mixture should be spread evenly across the prepared surface at the required depth. The surface should then be hand troweled using sufficient downward pressure to compact and provide for a smooth finish.

4: The surface should then be hand troweled using sufficient downward pressure to compact and provide for a smooth finish. You can now lightly broadcast clear crushed glass grit onto the finished surface to provide increased skid resistance.

Lightly broadcast clear crushed glass grit onto the finished surface to provide increased skid resistance.

Contact : gary@chameleonways.com or call 1-877-426-5687

5: The open texture achieved provides a highly porous surface allowing the tree roots access to both air and water penetration. Since the installations are installed flush with the surrounding paving areas they have the added advantage of not becoming a litter trap

Building Blocks

1 to 0.19: Inches. A #57 natural stone aggregate ranges from 1 to 0.19 inch and has the following gradation (amounts finer than the given sieve size): 1 1/2-inch sieve--100% passing; 1-inch--95 to 100%; 1/2-inch--25 to 60%; No. 4 sieve-0 to 10%; No. 8 siev-0 to 5%.

Source: Concrete Construction