An eco-innovative planting and survival support system for urban trees

Project Information

TREEPAD

Grant agreement ID: 809046

DOI

10.3030/809046

Project closed

EC signature date 19 February 2018

Start date 1 March 2018

End date 30 June 2018

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Climate action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

H. LORBERG BAUMSCHULERZEUGNISSE GMBH & CO KG
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - TREEPAD (An eco-innovative planting and survival support system for urban trees)

Reporting period: 2018-03-01 to 2018-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Harsh urban growing conditions have caused the vitality of urban trees to fall drastically during the last 30 - 40 years. Urban tree mortality is the highest among the youngest trees, especially in the first three years after transplanting which results in enormous costs for replanting. In parallel, the market is steadily increasing, European cities and municipalities are planning to plant around 200 million trees in the next 25 years.

In 2015, 72.4% of all European citizens lived in a city or town. Green spaces, green streets and recreational parks have proved to bring different benefits to society and its environment: air purification, reduction of noise, oxygen generation, water purification and flood control, temperature regulation and reduction of obesity.

Facing the market opportunity and based on demands from our customers, LORBERG has successfully developed TREEPAD, an innovative and cost-effective, all-in-one planting and survival support system for trees. TREEPAD will ensure an easy and fast planting process and high survival rate after transplantation by addressing the three main problems of newly transplanted trees: anchoring, water supply, and a balanced nutrient supply. In addition, TREEPAD is able to communicate its water supply status to the client.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The work performed during phase 1 included the identification of The Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Germany, France and the United Kingdom as the main target countries for as initial market focus. We established contacts with potential customers and distributors. In addition, we performed a market study summarising the current state of tree nurseries, urban planning and landscaping in Europe. We also defined the legal requirements and implementation of safety regulations.
We also finalized a business plan to determine the costs and revenues of TREEPAD including an investment scheme. Based on the current staff availability for the project a duration of about 2 years is conservatively estimated to reach TRL 8-9 and market introduction.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Progress beyond the state of the art
Development needs and improvement potentials have been identified in a several categories. The market studies and customer surveys conducted in phase 1 ensure specific market and customer orientation measures and thus a successful commercialization of the innovation.

Expected results
We will be able to generate high revenues in the targeted market segment and extend our activities and contacts on an international scale resulting in the establishment of a leading market position in the field of tree nurseries, urban silviculture and landscape design. In addition, the project allows us to accumulate experience in in-house technology development.

Socio-economic impact
TREEPAD, based on the lower planting costs and higher survival rate, will reduce the costs of tree planting and help greening our cities in Europe (5 % more urban trees within the next 20 years).

TreePad Prototype with burlap and velcro

Schematic TreePad anchoring system