Stockholm System Tree Pit Solutions
Healthier Trees. Healthier People
Urban trees often struggle to thrive — especially when planted in hard landscaped areas.
Without enough rootable soil and consistent access to water, they can fail to reach maturity, offering only a fraction of their environmental and visual benefits.
Used by landscape architects, engineers, and contractors across the UK, the Stockholm System enables trees in paved and trafficked areas to grow stronger, live longer and perform better for the communities they serve.
For enquiries and orders please email enquiries@stockholmtreepits.co.uk
What are Stockholm System Tree Pit Solutions?
A low-cost and low-maintenance cuboid concrete block (990mm x 1225mm x 770mm) that has been specially designed for use as temporary 'green' modal filters to open streets for pedestrians and cyclists by closing them to through traffic.
It incorporates two large planting recesses with sloping sides that funnel rainwater into Permavoid reservoirs embedded beneath the soil. In this way the design makes use of natural rainfall to irrigate the plants, and it stores rainwater in the reservoirs to carry the plants through dry periods. There are overflow drainage slots at the reservoir boundary to prevent waterlogging, and wicking capillaries continue to supply water to the roots of the plants between rainfall events.
The block includes forklift slots in the base and a lifting eye in the centre, allowing blocks to be deployed and removed conveniently using a variety of different lifting equipment.
This approach has been proven in Stockholm's city-wide tree planting programme, producing exceptional tree health and longevity.
Why Choose Elite Precast
With decades of precast expertise, in-house engineering support and a proven delivery record on projects of every scale, Elite Precast is the partner specifiers trust. We pair robust, repeatable manufacturing with the flexibility to engineer bespoke solutions when a standard product will not do.
Key Features & Benefits
More soil volume — Faster growth, healthier trees, longer lifespan.
Better watering — Rainwater from roofs, roads, and paving diverted into the tree pit.
Improved drainage — Supports Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS).
Low maintenance — Once mature, trees require minimal upkeep.
Reducing flooding — Flood water has somewhere to go, rather than pooling on the surface.
Installation Overview
Structural soils can be installed using standard site machinery with no specialist equipment required. The simple design means they can be accessed or removed later if underground works are needed.
To ensure urban trees reach maturity, three fundamentals must be built into every tree pit:
Soil volume - Sufficient space for root growth at the tree's mature size
Water supply - Continuous access to rainwater through integrated drainage
Air access - Pathways for oxygen to reach roots and soil organisms
Gallery
Important downloads
- Stockholm Tree pits with structural soils practice notePDF1.1 MB
UK Manufacturing & Nationwide Delivery
Every product is manufactured in the UK to recognised quality standards and delivered nationwide on a fleet built for site access. The result is shorter lead times, full control over quality, and the confidence of working with a British manufacturer.
Need Stockholm System Tree Pit Solutions on a project?
Request a quote or talk to our technical team.