Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Cities are hostile environments for trees. Factors such as pollution, salt influxes and soil compaction can negatively impact their growth and long-term viability. Pontarolo, an engineering firm with decades of experience designing modern technologies for the building and construction sector, has developed the CUPOLEX soil cell system. A suspended pavement system, CUPOLEX provides the sub-structure required to maintain a healthy soil and root system for trees planted in sidewalks, streets, parking lots and other hard surfaces. Mitigating the damage caused by salt and other urban pollutants to root membranes is an important step in ensuring the longevity of urban trees, yet relatively little is known about the capacity of individual species to remain resilient to large inflows over the long run. During this applied research project the CUPOLEX soil cell technology with storm water management components will be deployed in one of Fleming College's parking lots, where forestry students and faculty will assess the impacts of parking lot pollution on the overall health of various nursery-stock trees. By simultaneously identifying pollution and salt-resistant tree species that can thrive with the storm water management components, Pontarolo can offer a better, more sustainable product to developers, businesses and municipalities with multiple paved assets.