Drought stress in the first two or three years after planting is one of the biggest causes of tree losses, and both products here exist to solve exactly that: getting water and air to the roots directly, rather than losing it to surface run-off before it soaks down.

How many trees, and what kind of site?

For general tree planting at any scale, Root Rain Metro is the low-cost, straightforward option, supplied in a range of sizes to match the job. Where the tree pit sits within a paved surround or a tree grille and needs a permanent fitting, Root Rain Precinct uses a heavy cast aluminium inlet built for fast watering in that kind of setting. Root Rain Civic steps up to a larger capacity system for contractors and architects who need the same fast-fill performance across bigger schemes. Root Rain Urban is built specifically for parkland and roadside verge planting: its fixed, non-removable grid inlet keeps out litter and debris and can sit below mowing height, so it is strimmer resistant once installed.

The Platipus Piddler takes a simpler approach. It assembles quickly, refills through an ordinary hosepipe, and suits all rootball sizes without needing a fitted grille or distributor circuit specified in advance.

Permanent fitted system, or a quick refillable one?

Root Rain’s Precinct, Civic and Urban options are built as permanent, fitted installations, part of the finished landscape rather than a temporary aftercare measure. That suits formal schemes, civic planting and parkland where the inlet is expected to stay in place for years. The Piddler and Root Rain Metro are more straightforward: quick to install, quick to refill, and a better fit for planting jobs where a fitted grille and circuit is more hardware than the site needs.

Which product for which job

Street tree in a paved surround: Root Rain Precinct. Large contractor planting scheme: Root Rain Civic. Parkland or roadside verge planting near mowing equipment: Root Rain Urban. General tree planting on a budget: Root Rain Metro. Simple, quick-to-fit watering without a permanent grille: the Platipus Piddler.

Both ranges are quote-based on scale and site, so tell the team how many trees, what pit type, and where, and they will confirm the right option and pricing.

Frequently asked questions

How often do these need refilling?

Neither product specifies a fixed refill interval on the product page, since it depends on the tree, the soil and the weather. Refill through the visible inlet or with a hosepipe whenever the reservoir runs low, checking more often during hot, dry spells in the first two growing seasons.

How long do I need to keep watering a newly planted tree?

Most transplant losses happen in the first two to three years after planting, so that is the period both systems are aimed at. Once a tree is established, root growth naturally reaches soil moisture without help.

Will these fit any size of rootball or tree pit?

The Platipus Piddler is built to suit all rootball sizes. The Root Rain range varies by option: Metro comes in a range of sizes for any planting job, while Precinct, Civic and Urban are matched to particular pit types, paved surrounds and grilles, contractor installations, and parkland or verge planting respectively. Tell the sales team your pit dimensions and planting scale and they will confirm the right option.