A New Standard for Urban Street Trees in Christchurch
During the 2024 winter planting season, Christchurch City Council made a significant change to its urban tree programme: every street tree planted would include TerraCottem Arbor.
Urban environments can be harsh on young trees - excess radiant heat, wind tunnels and pollution all contribute to slow establishment and high early losses.
The Council wanted a solution that improved performance and reduced the ongoing costs of keeping new trees alive.
Their choice has already paid off.
Real Savings. Real Improvements.
Since using TerraCottem Arbor all urban street tree plantings, the Council has seen:
✔️ Reduced watering costs
✔️ Lower traffic management expenses
✔️ Better establishment of trees in difficult city conditions
Why TerraCottem Arbor Works So Well
The success comes from two powerful components working together:
Hydro-Polymers Make a Big Difference
TerraCottem Arbor uses advanced hydro polymers that hold 60-80 times their weight in water.
For an urban 45L street tree, that means up to 55 litres of water can remain suspended around the root ball when fully hydrated.
This reservoir supports the tree through heat, wind, and limited moisture availability.
Growth Precursors for Strong, Early Development
Alongside hydro-polymers, TerraCottem Arbor has natural growth precursors that:
✅ Stimulate root elongation
✅ Support cell division
✅ Reduce plant shock
By minimising the stress that typically slows establishment, these components help prevent the decline and die-off that often occur after planting.
Avoiding Expensive Replacements
Pulling out a dead street tree and replacing it can cost up to $300.
When you consider the cost of watering, fertiliser and traffic management on top of that, using TerraCottem Arbor is a simple, cost-effective way to protect both your budget and your tree investment.
If you want to reduce ongoing inputs and avoid the frustration or unnecessary tree losses, use TerraCottem Arbor.