Tree Grates – Steel vs Recycled Plastic

Trees offer multiple benefits to urban dwellers, including cleaner air, a beautiful landscape, favorable weather, among other things.  A lot of planning goes into the selection of the right species of trees to plant on any urban facility. However, all these efforts can go down the drain if there’s no plan to protect the trees. This is where tree grates come in handy as a way to increase trees’ longevity in urban settings.

Withstanding a Harsh Environment

Taking a tree from its natural forest setting is easy but maintaining it in an urban setting is an arduous process. These trees endure harsh conditions in urban settings ranging from increasing microclimate temperatures, paved surroundings, reflecting glare from buildings, exposure to de-icing salt and wind, car accidents and vandalism.

To help your trees withstand these harsh conditions, you have to embrace innovative landscaping. Tree grates Jonite are a creative solution for your landscaping. The most popular of these are steel tree grates recycles plastic and cast iron tree grates.

If you are after a revolutionary landscaping technique, you should explore the impact of these installations. The tree grate system blends aesthetics and functionality on your landscaping. Take a look:

1. Improved curb appeal: You can choose grate systems that are visually appealing to add a dash of style to your property. It is easy to customize these covers to suit your property’s architectural outlook.
2. Tree protection: These grates cover the tree roots that might otherwise become exposed and vulnerable to damage. The covers also maintain healthy pit conditions by providing more root room, more air circulation and a greater surface area natural or supplemental irrigation.
3. Safety: Grates cover tree roots that can cause accidents on footpaths or other areas of a facility. They ensure trees don’t cause any inconvenience to pedestrians.
4. Ease maintenance: Grates prevent litter buildup from the tree planting area and also suppress weed growth. It makes work easier for the people maintaining the facility.
5. Versatility: You can choose grate systems in many sizes, shapes, materials and designs. The available grates can suit any tree pit design in any urban setting.

Steel vs. Recycled Plastic Tree Grates

Steel Tree Grates

Steel is one of the most common metals used in grate systems. Steel tree grates have several benefits including:

1. Durability and strength: Steel is one of the most durable and sturdy metals and it is perfect for making grates to protect tree roots against damage.
2. Aesthetics: These metal grates suit different facility settings. You can choose from different colors and designs to suit your landscaping needs.
3. Ease of customization: You can order grates for your trees in any shape and size to suit the tree pit. From arched designs, spherical designs, circular to square grate designs, you have a wide range to choose from.

However, landscapers have started to look beyond these common grates for various reasons. Take a look:

1. Cost: Steel grates are expensive and if you have a large number of trees on your landscaping, this becomes a big problem. If you want to landscape on a budget, then steel grates are not the best option.
2. Increasing theft: Metal products in public places have become a favorite with vandals. The rise in demand for copper, iron and other metals has seen an increase in the theft of metal appliances including steel and cast iron tree grates.

• The high cost of maintenance: Metal appliances and fittings require costly maintenance as they age.

1. The high cost of shipping: Metal products are heavy and this increases the cost of shipping. If you order these grates from abroad, you will pay top dollar for both the grates and the shipping.

Recycled Plastic Tree Grates

Recycled plastic tree grates have emerged as the best alternative to steel grates for tree landscaping. Property owners and landscapers looking for more sustainable and affordable grate systems for their trees opt for plastic grates for a number of reasons.

1. Affordability: Plastic grates cost three times less than ordinary metal grates. If you have a large number of trees to cover, recycled plastic grates are the best option.
2. Eco-friendly option: These grates come from 100% recycled plastic and this makes a big contribution to the environment. They reduce landfills and also save the use of energy in the processing of new materials.

• Easy installation: these plastic fittings are lightweight and thus easy to install. They don’t require any specialized tools or skills to install.

1. Low-maintenance: These eco-friendly grates are rust and corrosion-resistant.
2. Durability: Plastics are durable and long-lasting and don’t require any specialized care even in the harshest environment.

Plastic tree grates might not be as appealing as steel grates but they have more benefits than drawbacks.

Final Thoughts

With so many tree grate systems on the market, choosing the best grate system for your trees is not easy.  This comparison of the two most popular tree grate systems (steel and recycled plastic) will help you make an informed choice.