100 may be configured to be embedded in a dug pit or a trench, so as to be substantially flush with an opening of the pit and/or not extend above a level of an opening of the pit.

In some embodiments, system 100 may be configured to support at least some hardscape surrounding the plant, e.g., edging and border pavers, to prevent collapsing and/or otherwise shifting of the surrounding hardscape features. In some embodiments, the present system is configured to resist loads from adjoining paving systems in the lateral dimension, which tend to cause the pit walls and/or edge or border pavers to shift, displace, and/or collapse inwardly.

In some embodiments, system 100 provides optimal and/or maximal growth space within a standardized municipal pit, while minimizing digging requirements in the depth dimension.

In some embodiments, system 100 comprises a sidewall 120 having an overall length A of, e.g., between 60-200 cm (e.g., 110 cm), and a diameter B of between 60 cm and 250 cm (e.g., 80 cm). In some embodiments, sidewall 120 may comprise a sidewall peripherally defining an internal hollow volume or cavity and having top and bottom openings. In some embodiments, sidewall 120 may be a cylindrical tube or pipe having openings at both ends. In some embodiments, other types of elongated hollow bodies of varying shapes may be used, having, e.g., oval, octagonal, rectangular, or other cross-sectional profiles. In some embodiments, sidewall 120 is dimensioned to be embedded in and/or line a standardized municipal and/or urban tree or plant pit having dimensions comprising, e.g., a depth of no more than 110 cm, and an opening of no more than 130 cm in width and/or diameter. In some embodiments, pit dimensions may be between 60-200 cm in depth and between 60-250 cm in diameter.

Sidewall 120 is shaped to define a top or proximal end 140 and a bottom or distal end 150 and a longitudinal axis extending along the length of sidewall 120 between the top or proximal and distal ends. Sidewall 120 has a top or proximal opening at proximal end 140, shaped and sized to receive at least a portion of a tree/plant therethrough, e.g., a root ball of plant or a tree. Typically, the top or proximal opening has the same cross-sectional area/diameter of sidewall 120. In some embodiments, bottom or distal opening 150 may be defined by a peripheral edge of sidewall 120.

Sidewall 120 is further shaped to define a bottom or distal opening at bottom or distal end 150. In some embodiments, the bottom or distal opening has the same cross-sectional area/diameter of sidewall 120, and of the top or proximal opening. In some embodiments, the bottom or distal opening at the bottom of sidewall 120 may be configured for providing water drainage for system 100. In some embodiments, the bottom or distal opening permits water egress from system 100. It is noted that system 100 may comprise more than one drainage openings, potentially of varying shapes and sizes and diameters.

In this context, in the specification and in the claims, “proximal” means closer to the surface of the hardscape into which the plant is planted, and “distal” means further from this surface (i.e., deeper in the ground).

Sidewall 120 is hollow to provide for growth space for the plant roots and is typically filled with soil suitable for healthy plant growth, e.g., a rooting or growing medium. The hollow passageway of sidewall 120 typically extends from the top or proximal opening to the bottom or distal opening.

For some embodiments, plant root management and protection system 100 comprises at least one, e.g., two, root-guiding extensions 130 extending radially and substantially perpendicularly from sidewall 120. Typically, each one of root-guiding extensions 130 defines a hollow passageway in communication with the hollow passageway of the sidewall. Together with sidewall 120, root-guiding extensions 130 provide a growth space for the plant planted in system 100. System 100 is structurally configured to allow growth of the plant roots in the volume defined by sidewall 120 and root-guiding extensions 130. Additionally, system 100 is structurally configured to allow growth of the plant roots therein while providing anchoring of the plant to inhibit rotational and/or axial displacement and collapsing of the plant.

In some embodiments, sidewall 120 and/or root-guiding extensions 130 are configured for managing, limiting, directing, and/or controlling the growth of roots within system 100, to minimize potential damage to the surrounding hardscape due to, e.g., buckling and root heave. Thus, roots growing within system 100 may be confined to the internal space of sidewall 120, and/or directed downwardly and/or to the openings communicating between sidewall 120 and root-guiding extensions 130. Root-guiding extensions 130 are typically positioned so as to control and direct root growth, e.g., substantially horizontally, Additionally, root-guiding extensions 130 provide outlets for the roots of plant planted in system 100.

For some embodiments, each one of root-guiding extensions 130 has a length of 20-100 cm, e.g., 60 cm, measured along a longitudinal axis of the root-guiding extension. For some embodiments, root-guiding extensions 130 have a diameter and/or height D of, e.g., 60 cm, or between 30-80 cm, or between 70-90% of the length of sidewall 120. In some embodiments, each of root-guiding extensions 130 extends a length C between 15-40 cm, e.g., 25 cm from a plane of sidewall 120.

For some embodiments, root-guiding extensions 130 extend from sidewall 120 at a location such that a bottom portion thereof is located at a specified distance E from bottom or distal end 150, e.g., 10 cm, or between 7-15 cm. Accordingly, when system 100 is deployed within a pit or a trench, a portion E of sidewall 120 extends below a bottom-most part of root-guiding extensions 130 into a ground below. Portion E ends in a peripheral edge defining bottom or distal opening 150, and is used to anchor system 100 in the ground and inhibit rotational movement and collapsing of the plant in system 100, as will be further described below. In some embodiments, as can be seen in FIG. 1E, portion E may be fashioned in a plurality of profiles to facilitate entrenching of portion E, e.g., a saw-toothed profile, a scalloped profile, a zigzag profile, and the like.

In some embodiments, sidewall 120 may be shaped to define one or more openings 160. These openings typically provide outlets for the roots of plant planted in system 100, as will be further described with reference to FIG. 2.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, system 100 comprises at least one portion, e.g., root-guiding extensions 130, that has a corrugated-type pipe construction having an inner wall defining a cylindrical hollow passageway, and a corrugated outer wall having successive spaced-apart annular ribs and valleys. In some embodiments, each of the annular ribs defines a corresponding annular hollow channel formed interiorly thereof. In some embodiments, the ribs may be formed, e.g., annularly and/or helically around root-guiding extensions 130. Typically, these ribs increase the structural rigidity and strength of system 100. Alternatively, or additionally, any other portion of system 100 has a corrugated-type pipe construction defining ribs and valleys, for example, portion of sidewall 120.

The structural form of system 100 shown in FIG. 1A, is an exemplary embodiment only, and in some variations, system 100 may comprise different structural designs, such as a corrugated and/or non-corrugated single-layer construction; different and/or additional strengthening structural elements, such as ribbing, ridging, and/or similar features; and/or different materials used for constructing various portions of system 100.

In some embodiments, system 100 comprises at least one or more maintenance inlet or duct to provide for watering, aeration, and/or maintenance access into portions of system 100. In some embodiments, one or more maintenance ducts 190 shaped to define a maintenance opening for providing access into system 100. In some embodiments, maintenance duct 190 provides for at least one of fluid, liquid, and/or air exchange and communication between an above-ground ambient environment and one or more locations within an internal volume of system 100, e.g., sidewall 120 and/or root-guiding extensions 130. In some embodiments, atmospheric air may be introduced into one or more locations within system 100 through one or more ducts 190.

In some embodiments, one or more ducts 190 extend, e.g., a length of sidewall 120 and/or a length of one or more root-guiding extensions 130. In some embodiments, one or more ducts 190 comprise, e.g., a plurality of perforations along its lengths and/or about its circumference.

In some embodiments, maintenance duct 190 and its opening may be of various shapes, such as circular, oval, rectangular, or another shape. In some embodiments, duct 190 comprises a relatively small diameter duct located, e.g., vertically, within or eternally to sidewall 120, and having a proximal opening configured to reach at least to ground level and provide surface-level access into system 100 for, e.g., maintenance watering, fertilization, nourishing, and/or aeration of the growing medium inside system 100.

In some embodiments, an irrigation conduit 192 is disposed internally within duct 190. The irrigation conduit is typically configured to provide a conduit for an irrigation element, such as a drip irrigation element. In some embodiments, irrigation conduit 192 may advantageously comprise a layer of geotextile fabric disposed along its length, so as to prevent clogging of the irrigation element. In some embodiments, irrigation conduit 192 is configured for placing in an upper internal area of sidewall 120 and/or root openings 130, so as to irrigate soil within the system from above.

Additionally, or alternatively, in some embodiments, duct 190 is configured for providing aeration of the interior of portions of system 100, e.g., of sidewall 120. For such embodiments, duct 190 is part of an aeration system for introducing atmospheric air into the interior of system 100. In some embodiments air is introduced through the opening. In some embodiments, aeration shafts may be configured for extending to at least surface level, to provide air exchange and communication between the ambient atmosphere and system 100, e.g., sidewall 120 and/or root-guiding extensions 130.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is a schematic cross-sectional front view of system 100 deployed in an urban scape, according to some embodiments of the present invention. As shown, system 100 may be positioned in-ground, below a surface level of the hardscape, e.g., within a trench dug below a surface level of curb/pavement 202. System 100 is deployed in the hardscape such that the top or proximal opening generally does not extend above a level of the surface of the hardscape (pavement 202), and a longitudinal axis of sidewall 120 is upright or perpendicular with respect to grade level.

Sidewall 120 and root-guiding extensions 130 are typically configured for providing sufficient root outlets and additional growth volumes for supporting the growing of one or more plants 220, which are planted through a top opening 140 of sidewall 120. The opening may be dimensioned for receiving, e.g., a root ball of a tree or another large plant therethrough. In some embodiments, the top opening 140 may have a shape other than circular, e.g., e.g., oval, octagonal, rectangular, or another cross-sectional profiles. In some embodiments, an area of the top opening 140 may be approx. 2 square meters.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, system 100 may be a part of a larger continuous plant root management and protection system comprising a plurality of sections as such system 100. Another configuration may comprise an extension section, configured for interconnecting to system 100 and serving, e.g., to extend an internal growth space and/or provide for maintenance access to the system.

In some embodiments, one or more extension portions, e.g., section 300 in FIG. 3, may comprise a planting extension configured to extend, e.g., from root-guiding extension 130.

In some embodiments, section 300 may be used as part of a larger modular plant growth system. Section 300 may be a tubular extension having a length of between, e.g., 100 cm and 800 cm and an inner diameter of between 30-80 cm. In some embodiments, other types of pipes and/or similar elongated hollow bodies of varying shapes may be used, having, e.g., oval, octagonal, rectangular, or other cross-sectional profiles. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, section 300 comprises a tube having an inner wall defining a cylindrical hollow passageway. The structural form of section 300 may comprise different structural designs, such as a corrugated and/or non-corrugated single-layer construction; different and/or additional strengthening structural elements, such as ribbing, ridging, and/or similar features; and/or different materials used for constructing various portions of section 300.

Section 300 may comprise one or more through openings located about a longitudinal upper half of section 300, such as openings 308. For example, in some embodiments, an opening 308 may be located centrally relative to the longitudinal and/or transverse dimensions of section 300. In other embodiments, opening 308 may be moved along the longitudinal dimension of section 300, and/or be offset to one side relative to a longitudinal center line of section 300.

In some embodiments, opening 308 may be of various perimeter shapes, such as circular, oval, rectangular, or another shape. In some variations, section 300 may comprise more than one opening 308, potentially of varying shapes and sizes, depending, e.g., on an overall length of section 300.

In some embodiments, opening 308 may be dimensioned for receiving, e.g., a root ball of a tree or another large plant therethrough. In some embodiments, each opening 308 has a diameter of between 20 and 160 cm. In some embodiments, a total opening area of each opening 308 may be between, e.g., approximately 300 and 20000 cm