A root plate of a tree will tend to develop in areas of soil which are the least compacted and where there is a regular supply of moisture and oxygen. When a trench is excavated for the installation of drains or services, the back filled soil is so well aerated, that root development can occur to the bottom of the excavated trench, in and around the drain or service. In addition it is well known, that condensation can form around the outside surface of a drain, due to difference in temperatures. This condensation encourages roots to grow around the drains, increasing the risk to intrusion. The solution, depending on site conditions, is to install a barrier vertically on the side of the trench nearest to the trees. Alternatively, the excavated trench can be lined completely with the root barrier before the drain is installed and sealed with joining tape.

In the past, trees that were causing foundation movement to buildings by drying out the clay soil underneath the foundations, were either felled, which removed vital trees from the urban environment, or very expensive under pinning took place.
Over the last decade, Peter Scott Tree Care have developed the technology for the installation of the Dendro-Scott Root Barrier. This enables the trees to be retained in their original form for the benefit of the community while avoiding the need for costly under pinning.
The Dendro-Scott Root Barrier was developed over twenty-five years ago after long-term research.
One of the most important qualities of the Dendro-Scott Root Barrier is its flexible qualities.
Early research showed that when tree roots reached the root barrier, they tend to mass and unless there is a good interface between the barrier and the side of the trench, they will tend to develop in a downward direction to the underside of the root barrier.
Should a rigid or semi-rigid material be used, an unacceptable risk is created that water and/or top soil will percolate around the face of the root barrier, creating the perfect medium for roots to develop down its whole face and eventually go underneath. Frequently there is a need for a root barrier to bisect existing underground services and it is important that the barrier has the ability to be cut and effectively resealed to fit around these services.
The Dendro-Scott tree root barrier meets all the above criteria and is the only root barrier with a provenance of over a quarter of a century and in that time there has been not one reported incident of roots breaching the barrier. Recommended by the Arboricultural Advisory and Information Service