Tree box performance in exfiltrating stormwater runoff

This study determines the exfiltration rates in six tree boxes with embedded sensors and analyzes their hydrologic performance for 2 years to quantify the effect of different parameters (i.e., water depth, temperature, and age) on the exfiltration rate. Each tree box is 1.5 m wide, 1.5 m long, and 1.8 m deep. A 46-cm-diameter shaft was drilled at the bottom of each tree box to reach the underlying permeable soil layer. The water level inside the shaft rose up to 500 cm. Exfiltration rate increased with water level and exfiltration rate in second year decreased significantly by 27%-37% compared with first year. Overall, in the second year, the decrease in geometric mean exfiltration rate was largest for moderate depths of the standing water inside the shaft, ranging between 100 and 130 cm from the bottom of the shaft. The exfiltration rate of the tree boxes was significantly larger for warmer season and significantly smaller for cooler season. The infiltration rate of the underlying soil is a controlling factor of the performance of tree box. PRACTITIONER POINTS: The study determines the exfiltration rates in six tree boxes and analyzes their performance over time. Exfiltration rate in second year decreased significantly by 27%-37% compared to first year. The exfiltration rate of the tree boxes was larger for warmer rain events and smaller for cooler rain events. Tree boxes with lower permeable underlying soil developed higher water level in the shaft.