Patent ID: 7752805

Claim:
A structure for enabling tree root growth beneath a walkway adjacent to at least one tree having roots planted in soil, said structure comprising: a first row of spaced support piers disposed near said at least one tree within reach of tree root growth and defining one side of said walkway, a second row of spaced support piers defining the other side of said walkway, said second row of support piers being positioned adjacent to the first row of support piers on a side thereof away from said at least one tree, a shallow trench extending between said first and second rows and generally along said walkway, said shallow trench having sidewalls extending to a first selected depth below the level of said soil, and a cover member supported on selected piers, said cover member having a load-bearing walkway surface covering a portion of said shallow trench and being permeable so as to allow water to percolate therethrough upon soil under the shallow trench, said cover member being movable so as to temporarily allow access to the shallow trench under the walkway surface for adding nourishing elements to the shallow trench for enriching the soil thereunder.