METHOD FOR PROTECTING THE ROOTS OF A TREE

Abstract

A method for treating tree roots (105), comprising the following steps: i) Provision of a layer body (100) comprising ia) a first water-permeable tissue layer (101); ib) a water storage layer (102) applied to the first water-permeable fabric layer (101), comprising at least one binder and at least one water-absorbing polymer, wherein the binder is clay and the water-absorbing polymer is a cross-linked, partially neutralized polyacrylate; ic) a second water-permeable tissue layer (103), wherein the water storage layer (102) is arranged between the first and the second tissue layer (101,103); ii) Encasing at least one exposed part of the root (105) of a tree with the layer body (100), wherein one of the two tissue layers (101,103) comes into direct contact with the surface of the root (105), while the other tissue layer faces the external environment.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for treating tree roots and the use of a layered body.

[0002] Tree roots are very sensitive to environmental influences, especially to drying out. While the surrounding soil protects the roots of a mature tree from drying out, situations frequently arise in civil engineering, as well as in garden, landscape, and road construction, where the roots of a tree must be at least partially exposed. This is necessary, for example, to lay or replace power, water, or communication lines within the root system, or to construct concrete foundations in certain areas of the root system. For this purpose, the soil is removed from at least part of the root system, so that the roots are at least partially exposed. This exposure of the roots very often results in damage to the outer rhizodermis and the root cortex.Furthermore, the exposed roots are directly exposed to external environmental influences for the duration of the construction work. It is particularly important to prevent the exposed roots from drying out during this phase, as otherwise the tree will be irreversibly damaged.

[0003] It is known from the prior art to protect exposed tree roots during construction work with a simple fleece (see, for example, DIN standard 18920: "Protection of trees, plant populations and vegetation areas during construction work"). However, this approach has the disadvantage that the fleece material requires constant watering during construction work to prevent the roots from drying out, especially during the hot and dry summer months.

[0004] US 2014 / 0302735A1 discloses a method for producing a geocomposite article that forms a barrier against water with a conductivity of at least 1 mS / cm.

[0005] The present invention was based on the objective of overcoming the disadvantages known from the prior art in connection with the protection of exposed tree roots.

[0006] The present invention is based, in particular, on the objective of providing a method for protecting exposed tree roots as effectively as possible against both mechanical damage and adverse external environmental influences, especially drying out, for a specific period, particularly a period of several days to several weeks. In particular, the method is to be characterized in that continuous irrigation of the roots during the period in which the roots are exposed is not absolutely necessary.

[0007] This task would be solved by a method for treating tree roots, including the following procedural steps: i) Provision of a layered body, comprising ia) a first tissue layer permeable to water; ib) a water storage layer applied to a first water-permeable fabric layer, comprising at least one binder and at least one water-absorbing polymer, wherein the binder comprises clay and the water-absorbing polymer comprises a cross-linked, partially neutralized polyacrylate; ic) a second water-permeable tissue layer, wherein the water storage layer is arranged between the first and second tissue layers; ii) Encasing at least one exposed part of the root of a tree with the layered body, wherein one of the two tissue layers comes into direct contact with the surface of the root, while the other tissue layer faces the external environment.

[0008] Surprisingly, it was found that tree roots can be protected extremely effectively against mechanical stress and, in particular, against drying out by a layered structure which, in addition to the nonwoven material known from the prior art, includes a water storage layer containing at least one binder and at least one water-absorbing polymer.

[0009] In process step i) of the process according to the invention, a layered body is first provided.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the layered material, it is in the form of a sheet with a length of 1 to 10 meters, preferably 1.5 to 7 meters, and particularly preferably 2 to 4 meters, and a width of 2.5 to 50 centimeters, preferably 5 to 35 centimeters, and particularly preferably 10 to 20 centimeters. The thickness of the layered material is preferably 1 to 30 mm, preferably 2 to 20 mm, and particularly preferably 3 to 15 mm. Furthermore, it is preferred that this sheet is coiled and in the form of a roll. Such a roll preferably has a diameter of 5 to 50 cm, preferably 8 to 35 cm, and particularly preferably 12 to 18 cm.

[0011] The advantage of the layered material lies particularly in the fact that, when it is in the form of a long sheet of material, it can be wound into a roll in advance of the inventive method for treating tree roots. This roll can be unwound on site (i.e., at the location of the construction work during which the roots of a tree are to be treated) and the exposed tree root can optionally be directly encased with the unwound layered material.

[0012] According to a further preferred embodiment of the layered body, the first water-permeable fabric layer and also the second water-permeable fabric layer each comprise at least two, particularly preferably two to four, and most preferably two superimposed fabric layers. Such an arrangement of two or more fabric layers for forming the first and also the second water-permeable fabric layer is particularly advantageous if the fabric has a particularly large mesh size, allowing larger quantities of the material of the water storage layer to pass through the mesh of the fabric layer. By superimposing two or more fabric layers, this effect can be reduced, if necessary, by decreasing the effective mesh size.

[0013] According to a further preferred embodiment of the layered body, the first water-permeable fabric layer and also the second water-permeable fabric layer comprise a biodegradable material, with it being particularly preferred that the fabric layer consists of such a biodegradable material. Preferably, the fabric layer has a biodegradability according to OECD 301 of at least 60%, more preferably of at least 75%, and most preferably of at least 90%.

[0014] Any material known to those skilled in the art can be used as a suitable material for the first and also for the second water-permeable fabric layer, provided it possesses sufficient biodegradability and sufficient permeability to water and is also characterized by sufficient strength to ensure the permanent encasement of a tree's roots with the water-storage layer. In this context, it is particularly preferred according to the invention that the fabric layer contains natural fibers, preferably in an amount of at least 50% by weight, more preferably at least 75% by weight, and even more preferably at least 90% by weight, in each case based on the total weight of the fabric layer, and most preferably consists entirely of such natural fibers.Particularly preferred natural fibers are selected from the group consisting of jute, flax, coconut, hemp, and a mixture of at least two of these natural fibers, wherein these natural fibers are preferably in the form of a woven fabric. The use of a jute woven fabric (jute fleece), a coconut woven fabric (coconut fleece), or a mixture thereof is particularly preferred. It is further preferred that the first and also the second water-permeable woven layer, preferably the jute woven fabric or the coconut woven fabric, fulfills at least one of the following conditions: (α1) a basis weight in the range of 100 to 1000 g / m² 2 preferably in a range of 200 to 750 g / m³ 2 and particularly preferably in a range of 300 to 500 g / m³ 2 ; (α2) a mesh size in a range of 1 to 25 mm, preferably in a range of 2.5 to 15 mm and particularly preferably in a range of 4 to 10 mm.

[0015] Suitable fabric materials include, for example, those sold under the name BesTex. ® Erosion control fabrics made of jute (type JG 500) or coconut (type VG) are available from BGS Ingenieurbiologie und -ökologie GmbH, Tangstedt, Germany. Further examples of suitable jute fabrics are the jute materials available as "jute wrapping strips" or "jute trunk protection" from Reimann - Spinnerei und Weberei GmbH, Emsdetten, Germany.

[0016] A water storage layer, containing at least one binder and at least one water-absorbing polymer, is applied to the first water-permeable fabric layer described above within the layered body.

[0017] The binding agent used is clay, i.e., a mixture of sand (preferably with a grain size > 63 µm), silt (preferably with a grain size > 2 µm) and clay (preferably with a grain size < 2 µm).

[0018] In addition to the binder, the water storage layer includes at least one water-absorbing polymer as a further component. For the purposes of the present invention, a "water-absorbing polymer" is preferably understood to be a polymer capable of absorbing at least 10 times, preferably at least 50 times, and particularly preferably at least 100 times its own weight in water.

[0019] According to the invention, preferred water-absorbing polymers can be used in the form of fibers, foams, or particles, with fibers and particles being preferred and particles being particularly preferred. Preferred polymer fibers according to the invention have a length in the range of 1 to 500 mm, preferably 2 to 500 mm, and particularly preferably 5 to 100 mm, and a diameter in the range of 1 to 200 denier, preferably 3 to 100 denier, and particularly preferably 5 to 60 denier. Preferred particulate water-absorbing polymers according to the invention are dimensioned such that they have a mean particle size according to WSP 220.2 (WSP = Worldwide Strategy Partners) in the range of 10 to 3000 µm, preferably 20 to 2000 µm.

[0020] According to the invention, the water-absorbing polymer, preferably a cross-linked, partially neutralized polyacrylate, comprises a water-absorbing polymer. In this context, it is particularly preferred that the water-absorbing polymers are cross-linked polyacrylates based on polymerized acrylic acid to at least 50 wt.%, preferably at least 70 wt.%, and more preferably at least 90 wt.%, based on the weight of the polymers. It is further preferred according to the invention that the water-absorbing polymers are based on polymerized acrylic acid to at least 50 wt.%, preferably at least 70 wt.%, based on the weight of the polymers, which is preferably neutralized to at least 20 mol%, particularly preferably at least 50 mol%, and more preferably in a range of 60 to 85 mol%.

[0021] A suitable example of a water-absorbing polymer contained in the water storage layer is the one known as STOCKOSORB. ® 660 superabsorbent polymers available from Evonik Industries AG.

[0022] According to the invention, it is further preferred that the water storage layer comprises the binder and the water-absorbing polymer in a binder:water-absorbing polymer weight ratio in the range of 2:1 to 500:1, preferably in the range of 25:1 to 250:1, and particularly preferably in the range of 50:1 to 150:1. The respective weights of the binder and the water-absorbing polymer are given as dry weights of these two components.

[0023] Furthermore, it is advantageous according to the invention that the water storage layer contains additional additives besides the binder and the water-absorbing polymer. Preferred additives in this context are, in particular, nutrients for the tree, which can be used, for example, in the form of conventional plant fertilizer, and most preferably in the form of conventional root fertilizer. Mineral NPK fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium are particularly suitable as fertilizers. Other suitable additives are pH-regulating substances such as lime, or active ingredients such as fungicides.

[0024] In this context, it is particularly advantageous for the water storage layer to consist of solids. (β1) 60 to 99.5 wt.%, particularly preferably 70 to 99 wt.% and even more preferably 80 to 98.5 wt.% of the binder, preferably clay, (β2) 0.1 to 20 wt.%, particularly preferably 0.2 to 15 wt.% and even more preferably 0.3 to 10 wt.% of the water-absorbing polymer, preferably of the commercially available product STOCKOSORB ® , and (β3) contains 0.1 to 20 wt.%, particularly preferably 0.2 to 15 wt.% and even more preferably 0.3 to 10 wt.% auxiliary materials, preferably plant fertilizers, wherein the quantities are based on the total weight of the solids in the water storage layer and wherein the total quantity of components (β1) to (β3) is 100 wt.%.

[0025] According to the invention, it is further preferred that the water storage layer has a thickness in a range of 1 to 25 mm, preferably in a range of 2 to 15 mm and particularly preferably in a range of 3 to 10 mm.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the layer body, it has a water content in the range of 5 to 60 wt.%, preferably in the range of 10 to 50 wt.% and particularly preferably in the range of 20 to 40 wt.%, in each case based on the total weight of the layer body.

[0027] The layered body or the web of such a layered body is preferably produced by first laying out the first water-permeable fabric layer (optionally, as described above, by superimposing two or more fabric layers) and then applying the water-retaining layer to this, preferably by means of a frame placed on the fabric layer, preferably a simple wooden or metal frame whose height corresponds to the thickness of the water-retaining layer and whose length and width correspond to the length and width of the web of the layered body to be produced. Preferably, the binder, preferably clay suspended with water, is applied first, and then the water-absorbing polymer material and optionally the other additives are sprinkled onto it.It is also conceivable to first thoroughly mix the binder with the water-absorbing polymer and, if necessary, the additives, and then apply this mixture to the first fabric layer. After applying the water-retaining layer to the first fabric layer, the second water-permeable fabric layer is applied on top of the water-retaining layer (possibly again in the form of a single layer comprising two or more superimposed fabric layers). This second fabric layer makes it easier to roll the sheet into a roll, which can then be easily unrolled on site. Without the second fabric layer, parts of the water-retaining layer would adhere to the underside of the first fabric layer during unrolling, making it more difficult, at the very least.

[0028] In process step ii) of the inventive method, at least one exposed part of a tree root is then encased with the layered material, wherein one of the two tissue layers comes into direct contact with the surface of the root, while the other tissue layer faces the external environment. Preferably, this encasement is achieved by wrapping a corresponding layered material of a defined length and width around the exposed root. It is possible to use a single strip of the layered material to encase the exposed root, the width of which essentially corresponds to the length of the root to be encased. However, it is also possible to use several narrower strips side by side to encase the exposed root. It is also possible, and preferably preferred, to unroll the layered material from a roll and directly encase the root with the unrolled material.As a general rule, care should be taken to always wrap the root with the layered material in such a way that the material overlaps by at least half its length, creating a closed tube. The resulting tube can then be pressed firmly onto the root by hand and thus adapted to its specific shape. To ensure that the layered material adequately fulfills its water-retention function, it should then be thoroughly moistened with water.

[0029] Before the root, or part of the root, of a tree is encased in the layered material, this part of the root must first be exposed. The term "exposed," as used herein, preferably describes a state in which the soil surrounding at least part of the root has been removed, so that the root surface in this exposed part is in direct contact with the external environment. Preferably, at least part of the tree's root is exposed by removing the surrounding soil in a specific area using suitable suction devices. Excavating the soil, for example with an excavator, should be avoided to prevent mechanical damage to the root system.

[0030] Also revealed is a tree comprising at least one root, with at least part of the root being encased in a layered body.

[0031] The use of a layered body also contributes to solving the aforementioned tasks. ia) a first tissue layer permeable to water; ib) a water storage layer applied to the first water-permeable fabric layer, comprising at least one binder and at least one water-absorbing polymer, wherein the binder is clay and the water-absorbing polymer is a cross-linked, partially neutralized polyacrylate: ic) a second water-permeable tissue layer, wherein the water storage layer is arranged between the first and the second tissue layer; for covering at least one exposed part of the root of a tree.

[0032] Further optional details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, which are shown schematically in the figures.

[0033] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a layered body 100; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of a layered body 100; Fig. 3a-c schematic representations of an embodiment of a layer body 100 according to the invention, which is in the form of a material web; Fig. 4a-b schematic representations of the use of a layer body 100 to protect the roots 105 of a tree.

[0034] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a layered body 100 in its simplest embodiment. This comprises a water-permeable first fabric layer 101, which is preferably a jute fleece. A water-retaining layer 102 is applied to this fabric layer, preferably a mixture containing clay as a binder and STOCKOSORB. ®660 is a water-absorbing polymer. As a further aid, the water storage layer 102 can also contain plant nutrients in the form of fertilizer.

[0035] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a layered body 100. In this embodiment, the layered body 100 comprises a second water-permeable fabric layer 103, wherein the first and second fabric layers (101, 103) are each formed as a double layer consisting of two layers of jute fleece (101a, 101b and 103a, 103b, respectively). Such a double layer of jute fleece is particularly advantageous if the jute fleece has too large a mesh size, so that with a single layer of this fleece, too much material from the water storage layer 102 would pass through the mesh of the fabric layers (101, 103). By layering two (or possibly more) layers of the jute fleece on top of each other, the effective mesh size can be reduced accordingly. The use of a second layer of fabric 103 has the advantage that the layered body, when it is in the form of a sheet and has been rolled up into a roll, can be unrolled more easily.

[0036] The Fig. Figures 3a to 3c show schematic representations of an embodiment of a layered body 100, which is in the form of a material web. As can be seen from the figures, the layered body 100 according to the invention is preferably produced in the form of a material web (see Figure 3a to 3c). Fig. 3a) and then rolled up into a roll 104 (see Fig. 3b and Fig. 3c) The material web can be unwound from roll 104 and cut on site (i.e., at the location of the construction work during which the roots of a tree are to be treated) – depending on the circumference and length of the tree root to be encased – into sections of defined length and then wrapped around the exposed tree root. Alternatively, the layer 100 can be unwound from a roll 104, the unwound portion of the layer 100 then used to encase the root 105, and only after the encasement can it be cut and separated from the roll 104.

[0037] The Fig. 4a and Fig. Figure 4b shows schematic representations of the use of a layered body 100 to protect the roots 105 of a tree. How the Fig. 4a, roots 105 are preferably encased in the layered body 100 in the area of ​​a trench or hole 106 in which they have been partially exposed, for example during the execution of excavation work. Fig. Figure 4b shows in cross-section a root 105 encased with the layered body 100, where here a simple single-layer encasement with the in Fig. The preferred layer body shown in Figure 2 is illustrated. Depending on the thickness of the root to be encased, the layer body 100 according to the invention can also be wrapped around the tree root 105 in two or more layers. Preferably, the layer body 100 overlaps by at least half its length, so that a closed tube of the layer body 100 is formed around the root 105. The resulting tube can then be pressed onto the root 105 by hand and thus adapted to the respective outer shape of the root 105. EXAMPLE

[0038] A layered body was produced using the following materials: - 150 g jute fabric in the form of a 15 cm wide and 2.5 m long strip with a 5 × 5 mm mesh. - 1530 g rolled clay, enriched with water (640 g water to 1528 g dry clay weight) - 16 g STOCKOSORB ® - 10 g of FLORANID fertilizer ® permanent 16+7+15+2

[0039] The jute strip is unrolled in two layers within the specially manufactured board profile with a rolling device (the first layer being water-permeable to the fabric). Then the stiff-liquid clay, in which STOCKOSORB had previously been mixed, is applied. ® and FLORANID ®The mixture, which has been incorporated into the clay, is applied to the jute strips using a trowel to a thickness of approximately 5 mm. Next, two layers of jute strips are rolled out over the clay substrate (water retention layer) to form a second, water-permeable layer of fabric. The resulting layer is then lightly compressed with a roller. The coarse weave of the jute ensures excellent adhesion between the clay and the jute threads. The layer is carefully lifted from the mold by hand and wound into a roll with a diameter of approximately 14 cm using a winding device. REFERENCE MARK LIST 100 layer bodies 101 first permeable fabric layer, preferably a jute fabric or jute fleece 101a first layer of the first permeable tissue layer 101b second layer of the first permeable tissue layer 102 Water storage layer, preferably a composition comprising clay and STOCKOSORB ® 103 second permeable fabric layer, preferably a jute fabric or jute fleece 103a first layer of the second permeable tissue layer 103b second layer of the second permeable tissue layer 104 rolls 105 tree roots 106 Trench or hole

Claims

[1] A method for treating tree roots (105), comprising the following steps: i) Provision of a layer body (100) comprising ia) a first water-permeable tissue layer (101); ib) a water storage layer (102) applied to the first water-permeable fabric layer (101), comprising at least one binder and at least one water-absorbing polymer, wherein the binder is clay and the water-absorbing polymer is a cross-linked, partially neutralized polyacrylate; ic) a second water-permeable tissue layer (103), wherein the water storage layer (102) is arranged between the first and the second tissue layer (101,103); ii) Encasing at least one exposed part of the root (105) of a tree with the layer body (100), wherein one of the two tissue layers (101,103) comes into direct contact with the surface of the root (105), while the other tissue layer faces the external environment. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the layer body (100) provided in process step i) is in the form of a web with a length in a range of 1 to 10 meters, preferably in a range of 1.5 to 7 meters and particularly preferably in a range of 2 to 4 meters and in a width in a range of 2.5 to 50 centimeters, preferably in a range of 5 to 35 centimeters and particularly preferably in a range of 10 to 20 centimeters. [3] Method according to claim 2, wherein the web is rolled up and is in the form of a roll (104). [4] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fabric layer (101, 103) in the layer body (100) provided in process step i) comprises a jute fabric, a coconut fabric or a mixture thereof. [5] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the layer body (100) provided in process step i) includes a plant fertilizer. [6] Use of a layered body (100) comprising ia) a first water-permeable tissue layer (101); ib) a water storage layer (102) applied to the first water-permeable fabric layer (101), comprising at least one binder and at least one water-absorbing polymer, wherein the binder is clay and the water-absorbing polymer is a cross-linked, partially neutralized polyacrylate; ic) a second water-permeable tissue layer (103) wherein the water storage layer (102) is arranged between the first and the second tissue layer (101,103); for covering at least one exposed part of the root (105) of a tree. [7] Use according to claim 6, wherein the layer body (100) is in the form of a web with a length in a range of 1 to 10 meters, preferably in a range of 1.5 to 7 meters and particularly preferably in a range of 2 to 4 meters and in a width in a range of 2.5 to 50 centimeters, preferably in a range of 5 to 35 centimeters and particularly preferably in a range of 10 to 20 centimeters. [8] Use according to claim 7, wherein the web is rolled up and is in the form of a roll (104). [9] Use according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the fabric layer (101, 103) comprises a jute fabric, a coconut fabric or a mixture thereof. [10] Use according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the layer body (100) contains a plant fertilizer.

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