Lab Testing

What does gt green-tree topsoil need to comply to?

BS 3882 (BSI 1994) describes a naturally occurring topsoil as '…the dynamic product of chemical, physical and biological processes'. Although no artificially produced topsoil can technically be classified as a premium grade soil (BSI 1994), its characteristics may match those soils of this category.

Any manufactured topsoil should have similar properties to natural topsoil.

The use of BS3882 enables the classification of natural and synthetic topsoil's according to a range of parameters including:

• Ph
• Texture
• Stone content
• Nutrient content
• Organic content

To ensure we deliver a product of higher specification than the BS 3882 material we also have Green-tree soils tested to The Contaminated Exposure Assessment (CLEA) Model 2002. The Soil Guideline Values (SGV) determined by the model assess the risk posed to human health from the exposure to soil contaminants resulting from land use.

There are three typical land uses, which are considered by the (CLEA) model;

• Commercial /Industrial
• Residential (with and with out vegetable growing)
• Allotments

Soils Consultants

At Green-tree we employed Tim O'Hare from Soil Land Consultants. This ensures we make and continue to produce first class topsoil. Tim O'Hare has many years experience in the selection and composition of materials, which are used during the manufacture of synthetic topsoil's. Tim is one of the most respected consultants in the business.

The Soil testing laboratories which SLC uses have UKAS accreditation and MCERTS accreditation.

Natural Resource Management Ltd
Coopers Bridge
Braziers Lane
Bracknell
Berkshire
RG42 6NS

SLC Laboratory Analysis

Topsoil samples are submitted to the laboratory for routine physical and chemical parameters to confirm the composition and fertility of the soil. The following parameters are determined:

• pH value
• Electrical conductivity values
• Major plant nutrients (N, P, K, Mg)
• Organic matter content
• Particle size distribution and stone content
• Heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg, Ni, Se, Zn, B
• Sulphate, sulphur, sulphide
• Total cyanide and total (mono) phenols
• Speciated PAHs (US EPA16)
• Total petroleum hydrocarbons (C6-C40)