Tree Sand FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about tree sand:
Who are Heicom? 
Can Heicom tree sand be used where urban tree soil is specified?..
How much tree sand do I need for each tree?..
How much does your tree sand compact?..
Where is your tree sand produced?..
How does tree sand work?..
When - Where should tree sand be used?..
How is tree sand installed?..
Does tree sand make any of the maintenance procedures redundant?..
When planted in Heicom tree sand is "guying" still necessary?..
Is tree sand cost effective?..
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Who are Heicom?
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Heicom are Holland's leading producer
of speciality sand and soil mixes, with years of experience
in supplying prestigious sites with tree sand.
Heicom UK are manufacturing tree sand in the UK at four selected sites
under license and to Heicom's stringent requirements.
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Can Heicom tree sand be used where urban tree soil is specified?
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Yes -- They, like us, are producing 'Amsterdam tree sand' which is the generic name
for this product, which was developed in Holland in the 1980's.
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How much tree sand do I need for each tree?
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We usually allow 5m3 per tree pit.
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How much does your tree sand compact?
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We work on a factor of 1.6 -- 1m3 of loose tree sand will weigh approx. 1.3 tonnes
and the compaction will increase the requirement by up to 20%.
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Where is your tree sand produced?
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We have 4 sites - two in the south of England, in Dorset and Kent, one in Nottinghamshire and one in Northern Ireland.
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How does tree sand work?
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The tree sand structure resists compaction and therefore subsidence, yet permits
free flow of oxygen and moisture.
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When - Where should tree sand be used?
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Tree sand should be used for planting trees in urban surfaced situations where the amount of pedestrian
and vehicular traffic can result in over-compaction and resultant
subsidence in ordinary topsoil.
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How is tree sand installed?
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Tree sand is put into the tree pit in 250-300mm layers,
compacted with a whacker plate, then topped with 150mm of binding
sand. A hole for the root-ball is then dug within the tree sand and the tree is planted.
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Does tree sand replace/make redundant any of the normal maintenance procedures?
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No, it makes the maintenance more effective as a result of a better
capacity to drain, maintain watering and allowance for air and root space.
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When planted in Heicom tree sand is "guying" still necessary?
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Yes, but Heicom tree sand has a higher "pulling resistance" and therefore
makes it more effective or may even allow for lighter guying systems.
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Is tree sand cost effective?
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Yes, using tree sand is an investment in future cost savings. The cost
of replacing a tree and surrounding paving within 3-5 years of planting
far exceeds the initial costs of using Heicom tree sand.
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