5/15/2019 The Stockholm Solution for Planting Trees

Sign in Join now

Photo by Len Phillips

The Stockholm Solution for Planting

Trees
Len Phillips Follow
Founder of Online Seminars for … 86 11 5

Len Phillips

Stockholm, the capital city of Sweden has developed a very successful tree planting program
that many experts believe produces better tree growth than almost all the other methods (Topic
18) developed for planting trees in downtown city sidewalks. Here is the Stockholm Solution
story.

Background
In 2001, Bjorn Embren was appointed to review the tree planting program in Stockholm. He
began a working group including Britt-Marie Alvem, Örjan Stål, and Alf Orvesten, all well-known

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/stockholm-solution-planting-trees-len-phillips 1/6
5/15/2019 The Stockholm Solution for Planting Trees

experts and researchers of tree roots. They also consulted with the Agricultural University of
Sign in Join now
Stockholm and the University of Helsinki. They conducted a review of how trees grew in the
urban environment and determined that soil conditions are most important for the
establishment, development, and survival of trees in the city. They also collaborated with Klaus
Schroder, a retired tree officer from Germany, who is credited with being the first person in
Europe to work with structural soil.

In Stockholm center, about 20,000 street trees were dying because the city soils were lacking
oxygen, water, and organic matter, plus a surplus of road salt, carbon dioxide, vehicle
compaction, utility installation, and maintenance disruption were poisoning the trees.

Construction practices before 2001 required that all pavement be heavily compacted so rain
water would run to the storm drains instead of the soil to discourage tree roots from growing
under the pavements and causing pavement failure. Over time, the lack of water in the soils
caused a decline in the trees, but more importantly, older buildings began to settle, shift, and
destabilize, often requiring complete reconstruction.

In his search for answers, Mr. Embren and his team, discovered that along the railways in
Stockholm, trees were growing extremely well in the stone ballast beside the tracks. The rocks in
the ballast were large but stable and perhaps the same large stone could be used under the
pavements in the city to allow root growth in the voids between the stones, and the stone would
transfer the vehicle weight to the solid soil at the bottom of the planting pit. He also determined
that the best soil conditions for trees roots surrounding the stone should consist of a
homogeneous soil where the particle size distribution and humus content is mixed throughout
the upper 12 inches (30 cm) of soil and the same soil minus the humus is located under this
“topsoil”.

Based upon all the experts' research, and a process of trial and error, the tree planting team in
the city developed a structural soil that consists of layers of 4 – 6 inch (10-15 cm) crushed rocks,
installed in 10 – 12 inch (25-30 cm) thick layers. This resulted in about 25% – 30% pore space
that is filled with soil. The rocks could be any available native stone, but Mr. Embren felt it would
be much better to use broken up recycled concrete sidewalks instead of the native granite. Thus
began an effort to plant new trees in stone filled trenches throughout the city.

Planter Construction
A deep trench or pit is dug 30 – 40 in. (0.8-1 m.) deep and rocks are placed at the bottom 24
inches (60 cm). When the first layer of stone is compacted, soil is lightly sprinkled on top of the
rocks. The soil is then washed into the voids between each stone with high pressure water. The
process is repeated until the voids in the rock are filled with soil. A slow-release fertilizer is
sprinkled over the stone/soil mix of each layer. A second layer of stone is added on top of the

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/stockholm-solution-planting-trees-len-phillips 2/6
5/15/2019 The Stockholm Solution for Planting Trees

previous layer and soil with humus is washed in to this layer of stone.
Sign in Join now

On the top of the compacted stone, corner pads are placed for the installation of a square
precast concrete box for the tree. The bottom and holes on the side of the box are open to the
compacted stone/soil mix. When the project is completed, the trees are planted in the box so the
roots may grow down and into the stone/soil planting area. If the tree needs replacement, the
old tree is easily removed from the concrete box and a new tree planted in the same box.

When the structural soil has reached the finished grade, a layer of finely crushed stone is laid on
the top to level off the top of the stone. Geotextile fabric is laid over the entire planting pit
followed by a base material for the pavement and the surface layer for the specific paving of the
road, sidewalk, or bike path to be installed. The fabric prevents the pavement base material from
migrating down into the planting soil mix and prevent roots from growing up into the base
material.

The nutrient rich homogeneous mix of soil guarantees a good rooting space while the rock
meets the bearing capacity demands for heavy traffic. The planting loam must also contain 5% –
8% humus, 4% – 8% clay, and a fertilizer based on need determined by a soil test. Mr. Embren
developed structural soil combinations for the four different soil types found in the city. Each
tree needs a minimum of 500 cu. ft. (15 cu. m.) and a space at least 7 ft. (2 m.) wide for small
trees and 15 ft. (4 m.) wide for large trees. The length should be as long as possible to achieve a
mature, healthy tree. Whenever possible the tree pits are connected together so the root space
can be shared by all the trees.

Water Treatment
The whole area is also used for stormwater containment. Drainage basins sit in the top of
stone/soil mix so water running off the surface pavement is able to flow down, through the
stone and into the root zone of the trees. As the water flows through the stone/soil mix it is used
by the trees. Any surplus water is emptied into the original storm drain for the street. The catch
basins in the new construction are built with a metal screen near the bottom where oxygen can
also enter the soil/stone mix. The oxygen is absorbed by the tree roots and prevents stagnation
of the water. Catch basins beside the street curbs and building gutters also provide water to the
tree. Fortunately, salt used on the streets in winter does not seem to cause a problem in the soil
or with the tree roots because of the high volume of water flowing through the stone/soil mix.

Dealing with Trees

New trees of the right size and species to fit the planned dimensions and location should be
delivered to the site and planted in the conventional manner within the concrete box. New trees
are generally large, balled and burlapped, and planted directly on top of the stone base and in
contact with the soil filled pores. If the existing trees are to be retained, the soil should be

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/stockholm-solution-planting-trees-len-phillips 3/6
5/15/2019 The Stockholm Solution for Planting Trees

washed off the roots of the tree. The roots are then covered with a small size stone near the
Sign in Join now
trunk, that gradually increase in size to meet the large stone installed in the trench. Soil is
washed into this stone as it was in the rest of the planting trench.

Like every urban tree planting, several factors must be considered before actually planting the
tree.
Carefully select the species based on the city – Right Tree 
Trees should be planted where conditions, site location, and soils are suitable for the tree – Right
Place
Select a tree to improve local environment as well as collect and treat stormwater – Right Reason
Since the Stockholm Solution began, over 2,000 projects have been completed within the city,
and the Swedish national government has accepted this concept for all future projects in the
country.  This program resulted in tree growth that is equal to or better than trees growing in
nearby parks.  It seems that all trees, regardless of species have thrived in this program.  Tree
experts from nurseries and other cities all remark at how well the trees in Stockholm look.  Their
color is dark green and leaf count is much higher than expected for trees growing in a typical
urban environment.

Additional information:
YouTube collection of photos.
YouTube Lecture given by Bjorn Embren.
Handbook providing construction drawings and detailed information on the construction
process by Bjorn Embren titled “Planting Beds in the City of Stockholm, A Handbook”, published
by the City of Stockholm in 2009. This free book requires Adobe Reader and will take a couple of
minutes to upload.

Len Phillips
Founder of Online Seminars for … Follow

11 comments

Sign in to leave your comment

Richard Hands 1y
Director, FBN Passivhaus: Passive House Designer

Thanks for an excellent article!

Like Reply

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/stockholm-solution-planting-trees-len-phillips 4/6
5/15/2019 The Stockholm Solution for Planting Trees

Peter Thurman 2y
Sign inof
Landscape Designer, Tree, Environment & Horticultural Consultant, Teacher, Writer and Owner Join now
Laguscello in Italy

Excellent explanation & summary Len.

Like Reply

Andy Hillman 2y
Senior Urban Forestry Consultant

This is great! I have had much success with CU Structural Soil in built up urban areas.
Like Reply

Sue James 2y
Member, Trees & Design Action Group

thank you for this, Len. We discuss this in some detail in Trees in Hard Landscapes: A
Guide for Delivery with illustrations (available at www.tdag.org.uk) - the video link is to
a Trees and Design Action Group Seminar with Bjorn Embren. In the UK we are also
working with highways on load-bearing as testing by VTI in Stockholm advises that this
can be used for up to 10 tonne axle loads which would be a tremendous help in
allowing tree roots greater freedom in tree friendly rooting environments.
Like Reply 3 Likes

Eric Eric Barz, AICP 2y

Barz, Town Planner
AICP
It sounds promising but I had a hard time following the location of the tree box relative
to the pavement without any graphics.
Like Reply

Alisa Alisa Rose Seidlitz, CGBP, GreenAP, BFQDP, GLC

2y
Rose Regenerative/Biophilic Designer, Consultant,Educator: HealthyHome&Office,5-Element Feng Shui, Habitat
Gardens
Seidlitz,
CGBP, Hooray for changing priorities, acknowledging the critical importance of trees thriving
GreenAP,in urban spaces.
BFQDP,
Like Reply
GLC
Show more comments.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/stockholm-solution-planting-trees-len-phillips 5/6
5/15/2019 The Stockholm Solution for Planting Trees

More from Len Phillips 28 articles

Sign in Join now

Communication Among Trees Outstanding Forestry Mycorrhizae Ex

Department
Communication Among Mycorrhizae
Trees Outstanding Forestry February 4, 201
April 4, 2018 Department
March 19, 2018

© 2019 Copyright Policy

About Brand Policy

User Agreement Manage Subscription

Privacy Policy Community Guidelines

Cookie Policy Language

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/stockholm-solution-planting-trees-len-phillips 6/6