Custom Tree Grates and Frames

Steel tree grates and the frames that hold them, fabricated and supplied to the project’s approved pattern, openings and load design.

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See configurations

TrussMetal is a metal fabrication shop in North Vancouver that works across Metro Vancouver. This page is for landscape architects, landscape contractors, developers and strata owners with trees set in paving. A tree grate covers the soil around the trunk so people can walk over it while water and air reach the roots; the frame holds it level with the paving.

We fabricate and supply the grate, its frame and any support detailed in the quote. Installation, the tree pit, soil, soil cells, root barrier, irrigation, paving and the tree itself are by others.

Configurations

Custom steel grates

Grates in two or more pieces, from plate with a cut pattern or from bars, to the outline and pattern drawn. Patterns are cut by our partner shops; fabrication and welding are done in our shop.

Frames and surrounds

A steel angle frame set in the paving or cast into a curb or slab edge, which the grate sits in level with the finished surface.

Frames for a specified grate

Where the project specifies a manufactured grate, we make the frame to that maker’s dimensions. The grate’s published rating is its maker’s; it does not rate the installed assembly of grate, frame, bearing and support.

Concept drawingTwo-piece tree grate in its frame (plan)Plan of a square tree grate made in two halves inside a steel frame, with a slotted pattern drawn by the designer and growth rings around the trunk where the project specifies them. Concept only; the pattern, openings and sizes are the designer’s.FrameGrowth rings, where specifiedTwo-piece grate, pattern by the designer
Concept drawingTree grate set level with the paving (section)Section through a tree pit edge: a steel frame anchored to a curb or support built by others holds the grate level with the paving, which is also by others. Concept only.Paving by othersGrate sits inthe frameFrame and anchorsCurb or supportby othersSection
Concept drawingGrate frame carried over soil cells (section)Section where the grate frame is carried on a support over soil cells. The support is fabricated to project-approved details; the soil cells and their compatibility with the support are confirmed by the project’s designer and the soil-cell maker. Concept only.Frame and grateSupport to approvedproject detailsSoil cells by others
Concept drawings, illustrative only: not a tested design, a shop drawing or an installation detail, and not a photograph or record of completed TrussMetal work. Dashed parts are by others. Parts marked “if specified” or “per project” are included only where the project’s approved details call for them.

Openings and Loads: Who Sets What

Openings in a walking surface
Slot and hole sizes, the tree opening and how the grate meets the paving are set by the landscape architect or designer against the accessibility requirements that apply to the project. We cut and fabricate to that pattern; we don’t certify accessibility.
Loading and design
For every configuration, pedestrian or otherwise, the project establishes the intended loading and the design of the grate, frame, bearings, supports and fixings, with an engineer involved where the project requires one. We fabricate to those approved details and don’t publish load ratings.
Fixing
Whether grates are fixed down to the frame, and how, is agreed with the designer, so they can still be lifted for maintenance.
Other openings
Openings for uplights, irrigation or tree guards are made where the drawing shows them; the fittings are by others.

Tree Growth and Support

Tree opening
Sized for the tree at planting, as the design sets. Removable growth rings or sections are a project-specific configuration; their removal and the ongoing clearance around the trunk are managed under the landscape designer’s or arborist’s instructions.
What the frame sits on
A concrete curb or slab edge built by others, or a support over soil cells. A support over soil cells is fabricated to project-approved support details; the landscape architect or engineer, with the soil-cell maker’s requirements, confirms the supporting arrangement and its compatibility with the specified system. A frame is not assumed to bear on any soil-cell system.
Installation
Frames, grates and supports are installed by the landscape or concrete contractor, or another installer the project appoints. We supply them.

Materials and Finish

Material
Weathering steel, hot-dip galvanized steel, galvanized and powder-coated steel, or stainless steel, chosen with the designer for appearance, de-icing salt and the paving around it. Plate and bar sizes follow the load design.
Staining
Weathering steel stains pale paving while it weathers, and that is decided at design stage. See weathering steel.
Finishing
Galvanizing and coating are done by specialist applicators and named in the quote.

Not part of this page: vertical tree guards, trench-drain grates, and manufactured cast grates themselves. Paving edges are on landscape edging, and raised planting on custom planters.

Who Does What

Responsibilities that affect the quote

TrussMetal: grates, frames, anchors and any support detailed in the quote; cut patterns through partner shops; finishes through specialist applicators. Supply only.

Landscape architect or designer: pattern, openings, accessibility, tree opening and any growth rings, the intended loading and the grate, frame, bearing, support and fixing design, with an engineer where the project requires one; confirms any support over soil cells with the soil-cell maker’s requirements.

Landscape and concrete contractors: the tree pit, curb or slab edge, soil cells, root barrier, irrigation and paving, and installing the frames, grates and supports.

Owner, landscape designer or arborist: the tree, its care, and removing growth rings and keeping the trunk clear as their instructions set.

Related Work

See metalwork for landscape architects and site furnishings.

Questions

Do you make cast iron grates?

No. Our grates are fabricated steel. Where a manufactured grate is specified, we can make the frame to that maker’s dimensions.

Are your grates rated?

We don’t publish ratings. For every grate the project establishes the intended loading and the grate, frame, bearing and support design, with an engineer where required, and we fabricate to it.

Are the openings accessible?

Openings are set by the designer against the requirements that apply to the project, and we fabricate to them.

Can the opening grow with the tree?

Where the project specifies removable growth rings or sections, we make them. Removal and clearance around the trunk follow the landscape designer’s or arborist’s instructions.

Do you install the grates?

No. We fabricate and supply them; the landscape or concrete contractor, or another installer the project appoints, installs them.

Do you work from our drawings?

Yes. Send the plan with the grate outline, pattern and tree opening, and the paving and pit details.

Request a Quote

Send the plan and details, or the design intent if it is early.

What to include in your message

  • Plan with the grate outline, pattern and tree opening
  • Number of grates and the size of each
  • Paving and finished levels, and what the frame sits on: curb, slab edge or support over soil cells
  • Intended loading, and who approves the grate, frame, bearing and support design
  • The accessibility requirements the designer applies to the openings
  • Material, finish, and any openings for lights or irrigation
  • Who builds the tree pit and installs the frames and grates, and your timing

The form starts blank: in “What do you need?”, select Other Custom Metalwork.

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Sending photos of your pet? After submitting, email 3–6 clear photos — front, side, three-quarter, full body and a close-up of the face — to sales@trussmetal.com with your name in the subject line. Photo tips

Have photos or drawings? Email them to sales@trussmetal.com after submitting this form. A photo of the site is the single most useful thing you can send.

Prefer to talk it through? Call (778) 805-5333, Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 5:00.