Water retention in urban planting

Kaumera contributes to improved growth in the early stages and has benefits during droughts for existing plantings. It is used in incorporation of substrate around trees. Besides its ability to retain moisture, Kaumera also contains amino acids, sugars and NPK, which are well-known supporting nutrients in strengthening resistance and activating soil life. Trials with municipalities and gardeners show good results [read more]

Environmental stress in urban environments

Trees in urban areas contribute to urban cooling (Hittetress). They provide air filtration (particulate matter), sequester carbon and thus contribute to combating climate change. Moreover, trees serve as habitat, food source and shelter for plants and animals, promoting biodiversity in urban areas. Initial studies have shown that adding Kaumera to trees helps to better cope with drought stress caused by increasing heat in urban environments.

 

The chart shows better moisture retention when Kaumera is added to the soil. 

The graph shows that the moisture content in the soil decreases only slowly. Only 5 months after planting was watered for the first time.
A bar chart shows that soil moisture content remains many times better with the addition of Kaumera

The addition of Kaumera significantly improves soil moisture content.

SmartCityTrees ©

Our project partner Hoefakker tree specialists offers an innovative solution for real-time remote monitoring. In cooperation with market partners, they have developed a soil moisture sensor (LoRa sensor). This sensor is specially designed to remotely monitor soil or tree box moisture levels. This technology is offered as part of the SmartCityTrees© package, but also as a stand-alone solution for trees and other plantings that need extra care.

Pilot (2022-2024)

In spring 2022, a pilot started in the forest near Loenen Falls, an area where Water Board Vallei and Veluwe operates. The trial was conducted on 60 trees with concentrations of 5% and 10% Kaumera incorporated into the soil. Furthermore, there was a control group of 0%. An evaluation was done in 2024, the conclusions were positive:  

‘There were very few watering turns, less than average for young plantings and certainly on sandy soils. The growth and condition in the groups where Kaumera was applied have on average better growth and condition results than the control group. The root development in the Kaumera groups is somewhat better than in the control group. Due to the above results and the limited number of waterings, there is a small positive result of Kaumera compared to the control group. Presumably, this result will mainly emerge due to better/ more intensive rooting’.  (European Tree Worker/European Tree technician).