DON’T MISS THE TREE PLANTING SEASON WITH TCS

TCS offer a range of weed barriers for long-lasting, highly effective and chemical-free weed control.

DuPont™ Plantex Platinium is resistant to the most aggressive weeds. Whether its Japanese knotweed, couch grass, reed, giant reed, giant hogweed, marestail, horsetail, bamboo or Himalayan balsam, Plantex® Platinium will deliver the resistance required.  Following numerous test by DuPont’s R&D team over several years in natural environments, no perforation or regrowth through the fabric has been observed. Once correctly installed on an area contaminated by invasive plants, Plantex® Platinium does not require any maintenance, unlike alternative solutions like periodic chemical treatment or physical removal.

While providing an effective barrier against invasive plants, Plantex® Platinium crucially remains permeable to air and water.  This permeability prevents perched and puddled water and associated issues, as can occur readily with an impermeable membrane system.  The water and air permeability is ecologically sympathetic to the natural balance of the soil by maintaining its biodiversity. Moisture will be able to evaporate naturally through the Plantex® Platinium thus preventing condensation under the fabric which can lead to mold and degradation of the soil. Furthermore, the soil temperature will not be affected (less greenhouse effect).

DuPont™ Plantex® Gold is an aesthetically appealing bi-coloured, non-woven Polypropylene weed control barrier, for effective weed control even against tough weeds such as couch grass, horsetail and bindweed. This brown and black fabric allows air, water and nutrients to pass through and thereby lets the soil and plant roots breathe while keeping the weeds at bay. Plantex® Gold is ideal for application on slopes where it can be used covered as well as uncovered. The brown/gold colouring gives the fabric a more natural look.

Terram WeedGuard is proven for suppressing weeds in landscaping and garden applications without the need for chemicals. This geotextile is designed to allow the passage of water, oxygen and nutrients while blocking weeds. Terram Weedguard is installed at the interface between soil and a decorative layer such as bark chippings, stone chippings, pebbles or gravel.

• Weed control fabric which avoids the use of chemicals
• Lightweight and simple to install
• Maintenance free and resistant to microbiological and chemical attack
• Ideal for landscaping, garden beds and beneath decking.

DuPont™ Plantex® RootBarrier (Impermeable) is a coated non-woven impermeable membrane, ideal for preventing invasive growth and damage by aggressive plant roots, e.g. bamboo. By resisting the penetration of aggressive rooting plants and trees, Plantex® RootBarrier protects underground drainage, sewage, piping and cable systems, patios, paved areas, asphalted surfaces as well as buildings and utility channels from root invasion and damage. This strong and robust, spun-based material will contain invasive root growth without damaging the plants or harming the surrounding materials. Easy to use, Plantex® RootBarrier requires little preparation and once installed can be left maintenance free for many years.

DuPont™ Plantex® RootProtector (Permeable) is an air and water permeable non-woven root barrier. The water permeability of our membrane ensures a free flow of water in the soil avoiding trapped water, hydrostatic pressure issues & poor load resistance in wet areas which can so often be an issue with impermeable membranes.  Improved water, air & nutrients supply, compared with impermeable barriers, allows for a harmonious development of all root system architecture.  Allowing efficient drainage helps maintain the stability of foundations, structures, slopes, earthworks and infrastructure.

TERRAM ROOTGUARD (PERMEABLE) and ROOTGUARD PLUS (IMPERMEABLE) are used to protect buildings, walls, paths, drainage pipes, cables and lawns from potential damage caused by root development. Tree roots grow very close to the surface and are the cause of considerable damage. Structures with shallow foundations can be undermined. Damaged pipes, or pipes with faulty joints, can become blocked by roots. Root growth is also known to cause desiccation of soils to the extent that soil structures may subside and crack, and in these circumstances expensive underpinning may be the only solution.

Rootguard – Permeable edition in some instances it may be necessary to have a water-permeable solution e.g. surrounding land drains.  ROOTGUARD is a geotextile manufactured from polypropylene/polyethylene fibres. It provides excellent resistance to root development; confirmed in numerous trials and commercial projects. ROOTGUARD has high tensile strength, high puncture resistance and is capable of whithstanding the differential forces that can develop in clay soils.

Rootguard PLUS: Non-woven geotextile extrusion coated with high density polyethylene. Research has demonstrated that high-density polyethylene (HDPE) can withstand penetration by even the most vigorous of tree roots.

No Dig Solution
As a consequence of all of the above, so-called ‘no dig’ solutions are sought which provide a stabilised raft or stiffened layer above the root zone capable of spreading the load of trafficking vehicles and inhibiting the effects on the soil and roots below.  TCS’s Techcell cellular confinement system offers just such a solution. When filled with a 4mm – 20mm or 20mm – 40mm clean angular gravel, Techcell creates a permeable stable surface which distributes the loads imposed by vehicular traffic whilst allowing water, air, and nutrients to reach the tree roots preserving the health of the tree.

The British Standards Institute BS 5837:2012 provides recommendations relating to tree care, with a view to achieving a harmonious and sustainable relationship between new construction/existing structures and their surrounding trees. Techcell not only complies with BS 5837:2012 but also with Arboriculture practice note 12 (APN12).

TCS Gravel Fix® Pro is an advanced recyclable stabilisation system for gravel, shells, mulch and sand. With its hexagonal honeycomb-like structure of high quality Polypropylene cells, TCS Gravel Fix® Pro is designed to provide a strong and stable sub-base for the professional application of gravel on paths, driveways, car parks and roofs.

DuPont™ Typar® geotextile is fitted on the bottom of the paviour for maximum porosity and weed growth reduction.

Techpave R is an interlocking polymer paving systems designed to locally stabilise grass or gravel surfaces. Techpave is suitable for applications such as car parks, driveways, cycle paths, footpaths, access roads and recreational areas.

Bodpave® 85 grass pavers / paving grids are a strong interlocking 100% recycled cellular porous plastic paving grid system for grass reinforcement, ground stabilisation & gravel retention for regular trafficked surfaces (pedestrian and vehicles). Bodpave® 85 porous pavers can be installed with either a grass or gravel filled surface.

The open cell structure provides high surface water infiltration and is suitable for source control within a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS). The unique design of the Bodpave® 85 units resist lateral movement, improves traction and allows expansion & contraction whilst promoting optimum grass growth, root protection and surface stabilisation.

TCS ATTENDED THE LANDSCAPE SHOW

The 17^th and 18^th September 2019 brought the annual Landscape Show to the beautiful setting of Battersea Park in Central London. Set within the park itself in the Evolution Centre, the show was held over two days with exhibitors and visitors from a range of disciplines including geotechnical suppliers and manufacturers, landscape and garden designers and architects and landscape contractors.

TCS Geotechnics were exhibiting our wide range of geosynthetic products including Tensar Geogrids, Woven and Non-Woven Geotextiles a comprehensive range of Techline Geomembranes and preformed ‘shoebox’ liners and the full range of geosynthetic Formpave Aquaflow Components.

Perhaps most relevant to the Landscape Show audience was our range of Techcell Geocellular confinement systems providing solutions for Tree Root Protection, soil erosion and stabilisation, our standard and bespoke range of Gabion Baskets and our specialist range of stock Dupont’s Premium  root and weed barriers.

ROOT & WEED BARRIERS

Gary Norris, the UK Sales Manager for Dupont, joined us on the stand to jointly promote the use of DuPont™ Plantex® for tackling problems such as Japanese Knotweed and other invasive plant species.

DuPont™ Plantex® Platinium with its performance enhanced intrinsic strength, is resistant to the most aggressive weeds. Whether its Japanese knotweed, couch grass, reed, giant reed, giant hogweed, marestail, horsetail, bamboo or Himalayan balsam, Plantex® Platinium will deliver the resistance required.  Following numerous test by DuPont’s R&D team over several years in natural environments, no perforation or regrowth through the fabric has been observed. Once correctly installed on an area contaminated by invasive plants it does not require periodic maintenance, unlike alternative solutions like periodic chemical treatment or physical removal.

Platinium is available in widths of 2.5m and 5m. The 5m width is especially important when covering large areas as it requires fewer joints. The material is simply rolled out and covered and, if required, jointing can be undertaken relatively simply by taping or welding.

DuPont™ Plantex® Gold is an aesthetically appealing bi-coloured, non-woven Polypropylene weed control barrier for long lasting, highly effective and chemical-free weed control and is ideal for application on slopes where it can be used covered as well as uncovered.

DuPont™ Plantex® RootBarrier is a coated non-woven impermeable membrane, ideal for underground piping and cable systems protection.

DuPont™ Plantex® RootProtector is an air and water permeable non-woven root barrier, making it ideal for horizontal installations such as cycle tracks, green roofs, paths, roadways and drives.

TREE ROOT PROTECTION

An increase in urbanisation combined with the need to preserve flora has led to a rise in development in areas where the continued health of mature trees must be assured within the close vicinity of buildings and associated infrastructure. The preservation of these trees is generally ensured via Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs).

Of particular note is the fact that cutting or otherwise damaging roots via excavation around them is also a restricted activity under TPOs.  However actual cutting of the tree roots is not required for the tree to suffer the ill effects of construction.  As many tree roots are found within the first metre of soil, trees see a decline in health when the areas surrounding the trees are not protected from trafficking by vehicles and plant. The trafficking not only crushes the roots but also compacts the soil around and above them reducing the permeability to water, air and also restricting the activity of burrowing insects and other fauna, which normally maintain a nutrient-rich healthy soil structure.

So-called ‘no dig’ solutions are sought which provide a stabilised raft or stiffened layer above the root zone capable of spreading the load of trafficking vehicles and inhibiting the effects on the soil and roots below.  TCS’s Techcell cellular confinement system offers such a solution. When filled with a 4mm – 20mm or 20mm – 40mm clean angular gravel, Techcell creates a permeable stable surface which distributes the loads imposed by vehicular traffic whilst allowing water, air, and nutrients to reach the tree roots preserving the health of the tree.

The British Standards Institute BS 5837:2012 provides recommendations relating to tree care, with a view to achieving a harmonious and sustainable relationship between new construction/existing structures and their surrounding trees. Techcell not only complies with BS 5837:2012 but also with Arboriculture practice note 12 (APN12).

GABION BASKETS

TCS Geotechnics offer a range of wire mesh gabion baskets that are delivered flat packed and ready to be assembled via wire or helical fixings and filled on site. Gabion baskets can be filled with rounded stone, angular rock or recycled materials like crushed concrete as required.

Gabions are typically supplied in 76.2mm x 76.2mm aperture welded mesh (other mesh sizes available) and provided in Zinc coated triple life corrosion protection as standard, optional PVC coating or stainless steel wire are also available.

TCS Gabions are typically used to create free draining gravity retaining structures in slope stabilisation and erosion protection applications. The infilled gabions can be used to secure erosive landscapes and provide structural support for applications such as bridge abutments, wing walls and outlet aprons, TCS gabions can also be used to clad unsightly areas to improve aesthetics.

As indicated above, units can also be manufactured from other non-standard mesh sizes or combinations of wire diameters to suit particular needs and stainless steel gabions are also available to special order.

VERSA STREET FURNITURE

TCS also shared our stand with our sister company Versa street furniture.

Versa specialise in the design, manufacture, and installation of quality street furniture, canopies & shelters.

The street furniture Versa can supply include bollards, access control and barriers, cycle stands, seating, litter bins, planters, tree protection, post & rail systems, signage and boot cleaners. Versa can also manufacture a bespoke range of cycle shelters, canopies, bin stores and smoking and waiting shelters across a number of sectors including schools, universities, retail, car parks, sports & leisure, parks & green spaces.

For further details, please visit Versa’s brand new website https://www.versauk.co.uk/ or call on 01942 214275 or email sales@versauk.co.uk

All in all, TCS and Versa had an excellent throughput of visitors over the two days and consider the show to be a great success.

Terram (part of the Berry Global Group), recently celebrated 50 years serving the industry and to mark this historic occasion held an open day for key customers.  To show our support for one of our key supplier partners TCS Geotechnics Technical Director Ian Fraser, Sales Manager Kieran Burke and Product Manager Adam Brooksbank all attended.

The event started at 1 pm with a short meet and greet followed by a presentation on 50 years of Terram (and 31 years of Stephen Hancock) and the many changes that have taken place over the years. A tour of the manufacturing facility followed, before a reception and entertainment at a nearby venue. This provided a relaxed opportunity to network with the Terram staff we speak to on a daily basis and fellow Terram customers. Guess-the-Volume competitions were held on Terram 1000 and Bodpave 85 annual sales and our very own Adam Brooksbank successfully guessed the Terram figure. Apparently the Terram finance department’s answer of ‘not enough’ was not acceptable.

The day finished with a few quiet (or perhaps not so quiet) drinks with the guests and staff of Terram to celebrate their achievement.

The event was clearly a huge success for Terram and we at TCS enjoyed it immensely.  We would like to take this opportunity to thank Terram and look forward to partnering them as they grow and develop the next 50 years of the Terram story.