Construction work in collaboration with Google taking place in Bemowo Forest, Warsaw, on June 11, 2025, through soil compaction.
In the heart of Warsaw, Poland, on June 11, 2025, a group of dedicated individuals gathered in Bemowo Forest for an ecological event that aimed to nurture the growth of young tree saplings. The event was organised by our website, and the participants were none other than employees of Google.
The participants approached the task with great care, understanding the importance of their role in ensuring the survival and growth of these young trees. Soil compacting, a simple yet highly effective method, was their focus. This technique is crucial for providing stability and eliminating large air pockets that could otherwise prevent roots from properly establishing and absorbing water and nutrients.
The Google employees gently "hugged" each sapling into the ground, circling them as they compacted the soil lightly every few inches. This ensured the sapling’s roots had close contact with the soil, supporting strong anchorage and healthy root growth while maintaining enough porosity for water and air movement.
However, soil compaction must be done carefully. Excessive compaction is detrimental because it restricts root expansion, reduces water infiltration and oxygen levels, and can lead to poor tree health or root diseases like root rot, especially in heavy clay soils prone to overcompaction. Therefore, the participants were mindful to strike a balance—not so loose that roots don’t contact soil, and not so tight that roots are smothered or unable to grow.
The symbolic impact of this event extended to broader environmental action. This physical connection with nature was a moment of reflection for the participants, serving as a reminder of the importance of preserving and nurturing our planet's natural resources. The event had a symbolic impact, not just on the forest path, but on the participants as well, inspiring them to continue their commitment to environmental conservation.
Sources: [1] Soil compaction and tree growth. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-9dgwgk [2] Soil Compaction and Tree Root Growth. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP-16-W.pdf [3] Soil Compaction Around Young Trees. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/soil/soil-compaction-around-young-trees/
As the Google employees embraced each sapling, they carefully ensured this act of environmental stewardship didn't inadvertently lead to soil compaction issues that could impede the trees' growth. In the spirit of this while learning about soil management practices in environmental-science, they aimed to disrupt the soil least and preserve the porosity essential for healthy root growth.
