Landscape & Urban Design Issue 42 2020 | Page 88

JAPANESE KNOTWEED Protecting foundations DENDRO-SCOTT ™ ROOT BARRIER Peter Scott (F.Arbor.A. M.E.W.I., now semi-retired) first created this flexible root barrier membrane over three decades ago, to protect structures and underground services against damage from tree roots and it has been used for this purpose since 1988. It was the earliest established and, therefore, proven, root barrier membrane of its type. 88 www.landud.co.uk Its inception was borne of Peter’s concern that too many trees were being felled, rather than preserved as they should be. His motto has always been ‘Caring for the present is preserving the future’ and we continue to share this ethos. Since the early years of root barriers, the extent of the problems caused by Japanese Knotweed have become ever more apparent. In the past, even the most ‘seasoned’ of developers dreaded the thought of finding Japanese Knotweed on their sites, as it signalled extensive delays, expensive removal techniques and, in some cases, a complete change to the intended plans for the sites. Follow us @ludmagazine