22 Trees Installed at 17th Street Market
Published on October 26th, 2018 by Jess Maffey
Twenty-two large bottomland oak trees were planted this week at the renovated 17th Street Market in Shockoe Bottom. This installation is notable not only for the size and quality of the trees, but also for the underground Silva Cell system that supports them.
Three oak species will be represented: nuttall (6), willow (6) and overcup (10). They were grown by Select Trees in Athens, Georgia, known for their rigorous and professional growing practices, including cloning and root pruning, which produce predictable form and successful transplantation.
The trees were planted into Richmond’s first Silva Cell system; an open-frame pavement suspension system that allows a generous volume of soil to remain uncompacted by pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Roots will have space and oxygen to grow, allowing the trees to reach their full potential over their natural lifespan. Enrichmond’s TreeLab will be responsible for the trees’ continued maintenance.
Read more about the Silva Cells at 17th Street Market here.
This tree installation represents a final phase of the 17th Street Market’s renovation. The completed plaza will be unveiled on November 30th, during Main Street Station’s “Grand Illumination”. Along with a ribbon cutting ceremony that evening, visitors will find ice skating, hot beverages, and holiday fun.
