Field-tested planting by HerbaFertil®

AquaVaultPlanting System

Establish trees. Use less water.

AquaVault is a tree-planting system specifically developed and tested for arid and semi-arid conditions. It is designed to retain soil moisture and interrupt the capillary rise of salts, creating a stable, protected root zone for tree establishment and survival.

Up to 80%water savings

How the system works

Protect the roots. Make water work harder.

A protected root zone means less exposure to heat, less moisture loss and more stable conditions for roots and soil life.

01

Protect the root ball

The protective biofilm cover limits surface heat and evaporation, helping prevent the root ball from overheating.

02

Manage moisture and salt movement

Directed irrigation and moisture retention keep water near the roots. The system is designed to interrupt the capillary rise of salts.

03

Support the soil microbiome

More stable moisture and temperature create favourable conditions for beneficial microorganisms and active roots.

04

Build the roots for a lasting canopy

HerbaFertil, rooting space and deep watering work together to support establishment and continued tree growth.

From root zone to urban shade

With our systems,
your cities could
look like this.

Our root-zone systems support the tree establishment and survival needed to create lasting urban shade. AquaVault brings this approach to arid and semi-arid landscapes.

Plan your planting project
Concept visual of a public space in Riyadh with mature shade treesRIYADH / CONCEPT VISUAL · NOT A COMPLETED PROJECT

System design

AquaVault Resource Island

See how the components work together around one tree. The configuration is adapted to the site, species, soil and water supply.

AquaVault Resource Island — concept cross-section of planting, water and root-zone supportView full drawing ⤢
Concept cross-section · Includes development components; final specification follows the project design.
Component guide

Illustration labels: English. The component guide below is available in your selected language.

  1. 01

    Surface micro-catchment

    A shallow basin collects rainfall and runoff from the surrounding surface and directs it towards the planting zone.

  2. 02

    Reflective mineral mulch

    Light-coloured gravel or mineral mulch protects the surface and is intended to limit heating and evaporation.

  3. 03

    Biofilm cover (soil-biodegradable film)

    A thin soil-biodegradable layer is being explored to reduce evaporation and moderate salt accumulation. Material selection and validation are part of development.

  4. 04

    Salt flux control zone

    A functional layer designed to limit upward salt movement while allowing water to infiltrate towards the roots.

  5. 05

    Bio-activation ring

    Organic and mineral amendments support soil biological activity around the developing root system.

  6. 06

    Herbafertil root-zone units

    Herbafertil units are placed within the active root zone to support soil structure, aeration and nutrient availability.

  7. 07

    Local biomass / palm-date pellets

    Locally sourced biomass, including palm and date residues, is a potential input for soil-building pellets. Formulation, testing and quality assurance are required.

  8. 08

    Moisture reservoir / capillary support layer

    A porous layer intended to retain moisture and support capillary water movement towards the root zone. Its specification depends on the local soil and water regime.

  9. 09

    Deep water delivery / SOS Bubbler connection

    The concept shows deep water delivery through a protected perforated tip. Where SOS Bubbler is used, its reservoir stays above ground and connects to the below-ground delivery system.

  10. 10

    Monitoring: moisture · EC · temperature

    A monitoring point records soil moisture, electrical conductivity (EC) and temperature to inform follow-up and irrigation decisions.

  11. 11

    Root development zone

    The root-development zone is intended to provide moisture and aeration for fine roots and structural roots.

  12. 12

    Native soil profile

    The existing soil profile forms the foundation of the installation. The system is configured to work with local soil conditions.

Development components require project-specific testing and validation. This concept illustration is not a construction specification.

Bring AquaVault to your project

Start with the site. Measure the difference.

We help define the system, installation and monitoring, with a clear comparison of water use and tree establishment.

  1. 01

    Define local constraints

    Review tree species, soil texture, salinity, drainage, water quality and irrigation availability.

  2. 02

    Configure the planting system

    Select the root-zone components and integrate them into the planting and irrigation design.

  3. 03

    Test through a monitored pilot

    Compare with a defined conventional planting approach. Record water input, soil conditions and establishment over an agreed period.

Technical questions

Frequently asked questions.

What is AquaVault Planting System by Herbafertil®?

AquaVault is a tree-planting system specifically developed and tested for arid and semi-arid conditions. It is designed to retain soil moisture and interrupt the capillary rise of salts, creating a stable, protected root zone for tree establishment and survival.

How does AquaVault save water?

Directed irrigation, moisture retention and the protective biofilm cover reduce water losses around the root ball, with water savings of up to 80%.

Does AquaVault help in saline soils?

AquaVault is designed to interrupt the capillary rise of salts. Moisture retention and surface protection work together to maintain favourable conditions around the roots.

Is AquaVault compatible with existing irrigation systems?

It can be integrated with drip irrigation, deep-root watering, treated water systems, sensors and automated irrigation controls. The connection and water quality must be checked within the project design.

Which trees and soil conditions is it suitable for?

The system can be adapted to native, ornamental and urban tree species, as well as sandy, compacted, dry or moderately saline soils. Each installation is designed according to local conditions.

Can AquaVault be tested through a pilot project?

Yes. We recommend a monitored pilot comparing AquaVault with conventional planting, measuring tree survival, water use, soil moisture, temperature, salinity and canopy development.

AquaVault / Project enquiry

Let’s discuss
your planting project.

Share the site, planting programme and water conditions. We can discuss the configuration, a technical brief and a monitored pilot.

Request information

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