
Blog Why that big old tree could be your home's best feature 08 September 2025 David Fisher Head of Geosynthetics Sales When choosing a home, it’s easy to get drawn in by the bricks and mortar, how many bedrooms, what the kitchen’s like, where the nearest school is. But take a moment to look just outside. That mature oak in the front garden? Or the silver birch lining the street? It might not be on the estate agent’s checklist, but it could be one of your new home’s most valuable assets. Trees do more than look good There’s something reassuring about a neighbourhood with established trees. They soften the landscape, give shade on hot days, and change with the seasons. But the benefits go well beyond aesthetics. Natural cooling: Trees help regulate temperature by providing shade and releasing moisture into the air. Flood protection: Healthy roots absorb rainwater and slow down runoff - particularly important as extreme weather becomes more common. Cleaner air: Leaf canopies filter pollutants and improve air quality. Biodiversity: Trees provide habitat for birds, insects and other wildlife, enriching urban life. Wellbeing: Studies have shown that being close to green space supports mental health and encourages physical activity. No wonder more and more buyers are starting to see trees as part of a home’s long-term appeal - not just something pretty to look at. Top blogs The Role of Geosynthetics in Tree Root Protection Don't let temporary solutions lead to long-term problems Woven vs. Nonwoven geotextiles Do it yourself - The DIY Home range The plastic narrative: Are geosynthetics the exception to the rule But what happens during construction Sadly, trees on new housing sites often don’t fare well. Even if they’re left standing, their roots can be damaged by heavy machinery, soil compaction or careless groundwork. Because roots spread well beyond the visible trunk, they’re easy to harm without even noticing. And once damaged, the tree may go into decline, or even become unsafe. This is why tree root protection is so important. We work with developers, designers and contractors to make sure trees and their roots are properly protected during and after construction. Our solutions like ProtectaWeb® and nonwoven geotextiles, are designed to prevent root damage while supporting the ground above. They help trees and people thrive side by side. More about ProtectaWeb View nonwoven geotextiles Choosing a greener development If you’re house hunting, here are a few things to look out for: Are there mature trees within the development? Do they look healthy, well-maintained and integrated into the landscape? Has the ground around them been left permeable, allowing water and air to reach the roots? Are driveways and paths built in a way that avoids root compaction? You might not always be able to get the full story, but it’s worth asking the developer how they’ve approached tree protection. It says a lot about their wider commitment to sustainability. What Developers and Groundworkers Can Do If you’re planning a new site, here’s how you can help existing trees become part of the long-term success of your development: Engage early Involve arboriculturists and specialists at the planning stage to identify root protection zones and tailor designs accordingly. Keep ground surfaces permeable Use tree-friendly surfacing and geosynthetics like ProtectaWeb® to reduce compaction and support root health. Minimise disruption Plan access routes and storage areas carefully to avoid root zones during construction. Make it visible Clearly mark and protect root zones on-site to help operatives avoid accidental damage. Think beyond handover Tree protection shouldn’t stop at completion. Ensure the area is set up for long-term health, with appropriate landscaping, drainage and management in place. The bottom line Trees take decades to grow, but just days to damage. Protecting them during construction isn’t just good practice, it’s an investment in the long-term quality, resilience and character of your neighbourhood. We believe in making that protection simple, effective and part of the way we build for the future. Because sometimes the best part of your new home isn’t inside it’s rooted just outside your door. Latest news and blogs Article Thank you for helping to shape the future of our website Thank you to everyone who recently took the time to share their thoughts through our website usability survey. The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. We take every piece of feedback seriously, and we’ll continue to refine and improve the site to make sure it remains the best and most useful platform in the market. Sep 25, 2025 Why that big old tree could be your home's best feature Blog 08 September 2025 When choosing a home, it’s easy to get drawn in by the bricks and mortar, how many bedrooms, what the kitchen’s like, where the nearest school is. But take a moment to look just outside. That mature oak in the front garden? Or the silver birch lining the street? It might not be on the estate agent’s checklist, but it could be one of your new home’s most valuable assets. Article 80% Of Homebuyers Prefer To Purchase From Tree-Preserving Builders, New Study Shows Over 80% of UK homebuyers now say they’d rather buy from builders who preserve trees and greenery, many even willing to pay more. Discover why green space is becoming the must-have in new homes. Sep 8, 2025 The Root Cause: Why Protecting Existing Trees Matters More Than Planting New Blog 08 September 2025 When new homes are built, trees are often treated as optional extras. Some are kept, many are removed, and replacement planting is added into planning conditions as a way to “offset” the loss. On paper, it looks balanced. In practice, it doesn’t work. Latest news and blogs Share this page

Blog

Why that big old tree could be your home's best feature

08 September 2025

David Fisher

Head of Geosynthetics Sales

When choosing a home, it’s easy to get drawn in by the bricks and mortar, how many bedrooms, what the kitchen’s like, where the nearest school is. But take a moment to look just outside. That mature oak in the front garden? Or the silver birch lining the street? It might not be on the estate agent’s checklist, but it could be one of your new home’s most valuable assets.

Trees do more than look good

There’s something reassuring about a neighbourhood with established trees. They soften the landscape, give shade on hot days, and change with the seasons. But the benefits go well beyond aesthetics.

Natural cooling: Trees help regulate temperature by providing shade and releasing moisture into the air.
Flood protection: Healthy roots absorb rainwater and slow down runoff - particularly important as extreme weather becomes more common.
Cleaner air: Leaf canopies filter pollutants and improve air quality.
Biodiversity: Trees provide habitat for birds, insects and other wildlife, enriching urban life.
Wellbeing: Studies have shown that being close to green space supports mental health and encourages physical activity.

No wonder more and more buyers are starting to see trees as part of a home’s long-term appeal - not just something pretty to look at.

Top blogs

The Role of Geosynthetics in Tree Root Protection

Don't let temporary solutions lead to long-term problems

Woven vs. Nonwoven geotextiles

Do it yourself - The DIY Home range

The plastic narrative: Are geosynthetics the exception to the rule

But what happens during construction

Sadly, trees on new housing sites often don’t fare well. Even if they’re left standing, their roots can be damaged by heavy machinery, soil compaction or careless groundwork. Because roots spread well beyond the visible trunk, they’re easy to harm without even noticing. And once damaged, the tree may go into decline, or even become unsafe.

This is why tree root protection is so important.

We work with developers, designers and contractors to make sure trees and their roots are properly protected during and after construction. Our solutions like ProtectaWeb® and nonwoven geotextiles, are designed to prevent root damage while supporting the ground above. They help trees and people thrive side by side.

More about ProtectaWeb View nonwoven geotextiles

Choosing a greener development

If you’re house hunting, here are a few things to look out for:

Are there mature trees within the development?
Do they look healthy, well-maintained and integrated into the landscape?
Has the ground around them been left permeable, allowing water and air to reach the roots?
Are driveways and paths built in a way that avoids root compaction?

You might not always be able to get the full story, but it’s worth asking the developer how they’ve approached tree protection. It says a lot about their wider commitment to sustainability.

What Developers and Groundworkers Can Do

If you’re planning a new site, here’s how you can help existing trees become part of the long-term success of your development:

Engage early

Involve arboriculturists and specialists at the planning stage to identify root protection zones and tailor designs accordingly.

Keep ground surfaces permeable

Use tree-friendly surfacing and geosynthetics like ProtectaWeb® to reduce compaction and support root health.

Minimise disruption

Plan access routes and storage areas carefully to avoid root zones during construction.

Make it visible

Clearly mark and protect root zones on-site to help operatives avoid accidental damage.

Think beyond handover

Tree protection shouldn’t stop at completion. Ensure the area is set up for long-term health, with appropriate landscaping, drainage and management in place.

The bottom line

Trees take decades to grow, but just days to damage. Protecting them during construction isn’t just good practice, it’s an investment in the long-term quality, resilience and character of your neighbourhood.

We believe in making that protection simple, effective and part of the way we build for the future. Because sometimes the best part of your new home isn’t inside it’s rooted just outside your door.

Latest news and blogs

Article

Thank you for helping to shape the future of our website

Thank you to everyone who recently took the time to share their thoughts through our website usability survey. The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. We take every piece of feedback seriously, and we’ll continue to refine and improve the site to make sure it remains the best and most useful platform in the market.

Sep 25, 2025