Rootball and Overhead Tree Stabilisation Systems
Rootball Stabilisation
Rootball stabilisation is a proven load transfer system designed to protect newly planted trees and support healthy establishment. The system redirects load from the stabilisation points to the upper section of the rootball using a tensioned wire harness and a bespoke ratchet assembly.
This controlled tension seats the rootball firmly within the planting pit, reducing movement and maintaining long term stability during early growth. By keeping the rootball secure, we help protect root structure, minimise transplant shock, and give the tree the strongest possible start in life.
Stabilisation points are selected to suit soil type, ground conditions, and planting environment. Every installation is designed with one priority: keeping the rootball safe while promoting natural root development and future resilience.
Overhead Stabilisation and Guying
In situations where the rootball is of poor quality, absent, or unsuitable for anchoring, overhead stabilisation provides a reliable alternative. This approach bypasses the rootball entirely, making it ideal for palms, mature trees, or installations in highly exposed locations where additional trunk support is essential.
Overhead guying uses high‑strength wires attached near the top of the trunk or main structural branches. These are secured to compatible anchor points at an angle of 45–60°, delivering controlled support while allowing natural movement.
Most of our anchor systems are fully compatible with overhead guying, providing flexibility across a wide range of planting scenarios. As with all stabilisation solutions, soil type and ground conditions are carefully assessed to ensure safe, effective, and long‑lasting performance.
Tree Anchors
D-MAN
Deadman Systems
Eyebolts
Specialist Kits
Overhead Stabilisation
Rootball Stabilisation with Anchors
Platipus Percussion Driven Earth Anchors
Platipus percussion driven Earth Anchors deliver industry leading load holding performance for rootball stabilisation. Precision engineered for strength and reliability, they provide a lightweight yet highly effective anchoring solution for newly planted trees.
Best suited to virgin or undisturbed soil, these anchors are available across up to five tree size categories, ensuring the right level of support for each planting scenario. Where increased load capacity is required, a four anchor configuration can be installed to enhance stability and long term performance.
This system is designed to keep the rootball secure during establishment, reducing movement while supporting natural root development and future growth.
- Soil conditions: Virgin or undisturbed ground
- Depth of installation: Up to 1.5 metres below the planting pit
- Ideal for: Larger trees, open landscapes, fields, and garden environments
Rootball Stabilisation with D MAN®
Compact Anchoring for Challenging Environments
The award winning D MAN® anchor is a compact, lightweight, and high strength solution developed to replace traditional kerbstone deadman anchors. Designed for modern urban planting, D MAN® delivers reliable rootball stabilisation where space, depth, or ground conditions are limited.
Each D MAN® cell can be used individually or combined in multiples, with a simple lock and unlock mechanism for fast, efficient installation. The distinctive letterbox style wire tendon anchor point ensures controlled load transfer, while the integrated water storage cup supports early root development.
Requiring only 30 centimetres of soil between the base of the rootball and the top of the anchor, D MAN® is ideal for shallow planting and confined spaces where conventional systems are not viable.
- Soil conditions: Made up ground or undisturbed soil
- Depth of installation: Minimum of 30 centimetres below the rootball
- Ideal for: Challenging urban environments, roof gardens and shallow planting
Rootball Stabilisation with Deadman Anchors
Versatile and Cost Effective Shallow Planting Support
Deadman anchoring provides a flexible and economical rootball stabilisation solution, particularly suited to shallow planting conditions. The Deadman anchor point can be formed using several approved options, including traditional concrete edging or kerbstones, concrete reinforcement mesh, or timber sleepers.
These components are sourced by you, based on our specification recommendations. This approach delivers versatility, installation efficiency, and a cost effective solution without compromising performance or safety.
Requiring only 30 centimetres of soil between the base of the rootball and the top of the anchor, Deadman systems are well suited to locations where excavation depth is limited. When correctly specified and installed, they provide reliable stabilisation across a wide range of tree sizes.
- Soil conditions: Made up ground or undisturbed soil
- Depth of installation: Minimum of 30 centimetres below the rootball
- Ideal for: Shallow planting, made up ground, and small to large trees
Rootball Stabilisation with Eyebolts
Permanent Anchoring for Concrete Structures and Extreme Conditions
Eyebolt stabilisation offers a highly effective solution where trees are planted within concrete structures or where soil depth is extremely limited. Unlike ground based anchor systems, load capacity is achieved through the mechanical interaction between the expanding eyebolt and the concrete structure into which it is installed.
This allows stabilisation to be achieved with minimal soil depth, making the system particularly suitable for planters and hard landscaped environments. When specifying this solution, careful consideration must be given to the waterproofing of the concrete planter to ensure long term performance.
Our high quality eyebolt anchor points are available in four sizes to suit most planting requirements. Stainless steel options are also available, providing a fully permanent, corrosion resistant solution for demanding environments.
- Soil conditions: Made up ground
- Depth of installation: Minimum of 30 centimetres below the rootball
- Ideal for: Concrete planters, ultra shallow planting depths, and exposed locations
Rootball Stabilisation with Specialist Kits
Flexible Stabilisation Using Your Existing Anchor Points
Specialist Kits provide a highly adaptable rootball stabilisation solution where anchor points are already in place or need to be defined by the project. As with Deadman systems, we supply a high quality tensioned harness designed to work with customer provided anchor points, including pre installed eyebolts, metal loops, or reinforcement mesh.
The key advantage of Specialist Kits is adjustability. Each anchor leg can be fine tuned on site, allowing optimal positioning to suit the planting pit, rootball size, and site constraints. This flexibility makes the system ideal for non standard installations and confined spaces.
We provide clear load recommendations for every application and generally advise that anchor points are tested prior to installation. This ensures reliable performance, controlled load transfer, and long term tree stability from day one.
- Soil conditions: Made up ground or undisturbed soil
- Depth of installation: Minimum of 30 centimetres below the rootball
- Ideal for: Planters, ultra shallow planting, and projects using existing anchor points
Overhead Stabilisation
Reliable Trunk Support Where Rootball Anchoring Is Not Viable
In situations where rootball anchoring is not effective, or where trees or palms are installed in highly exposed locations, overhead stabilisation provides a proven and dependable alternative. This approach is also well suited where the trunk requires additional support due to compromised nursery stock or challenging site conditions.
Overhead guying uses high strength wires installed from the upper trunk or main branches down to the nursery line at an angle of 45–60 degrees. This configuration delivers controlled stabilisation while allowing natural movement, helping the tree adapt safely to wind loading and environmental forces.
Most of our anchor systems are compatible with overhead guying, offering flexibility across a wide range of ground conditions and installation scenarios. As with all stabilisation solutions, soil type, anchor selection, and placement are carefully assessed to ensure safe and effective performance.
- Soil conditions: Any soil type, dependent on anchor selection and installation angle
- Depth of installation: Potentially up to 1.5 metres from the nursery line
- Ideal for: Trees with rootball issues such as bare, damaged, or undersized rootballs
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