Nike World Headquarters, Beaverton, Oregon

Several prized native oaks were in decline at Nike's world headquarters, an environmentally sensitive, 175-acre corporate campus in upstate Oregon. The problem at hand was over-saturation from the overhead sprinkler system. Rotors were being used to irrigate the area, which included thirsty rhododendrons.

"When we'd cut the water back, we'd hurt our specimen rhodies," says Troy Castillo, irrigation field manager with TruGreen Landcare, Nike's landscape contractor. "We needed a new system that could offer more control; enough water to the rhodies and protection for the oaks."

To tackle these extreme conditions, Castillo and his team turned to Rain Bird's newest problem-solving drip products: XBS Tubing with the BIGIE (Below Grade Irrigation Emission) Stake, 1/2 inch Polyflex Risers, Xeri-Sprays, Easy Fit Compression Fittings and the Back Flush Filter Control Kit.

Tiger Woods and Troubled Oaks

Each of the 16 office buildings on the campus (where about 5,000 employees work) reflects landscape architect Mayer/Reed's design goals of blending the constructed and natural surroundings. A case in point is the landscape neighboring the Tiger Woods Building, which has stands of Oregon white oaks near beds of rhododendron surrounded by hedges of laurel, as well as tall plumes of ornamental grasses.

"One of the oaks in this landscape has got to be 200 years old," says Castillo. "They're our babies and we do everything to keep them happy."

That's why Castillo and his landscape/irrigation team went into action when the leaves on the trees in this landscape began turning yellow and dropping early.

"We suspected it was the high-volume sprinkler system," says Ellen Beighley, president of Irrigation Management Systems, the campus water manager. "I work solely with Rain Bird, so naturally I turned to them with our problem."

The BIGIE Drip System Offers New Solutions

"We want to minimize water use in all our irrigation here and come up with much more effective solutions,"says Mike McBride, Nike facilities operations manager. "So we were very happy to learn that the BIGIE Stake, XBS Tubing and Xeri-Sprays could direct the water exactly where we wanted, and control the amount applied." The BIGIE simplifies installation because built-in multi-diameter compression fittings allow poly tubing to be connected directly to the stake. The stake then accepts a polyflex riser and a variety of emission devices, including Rain Bird's NEW family of 10/32" threaded pressure compensating drip emitters (nine different color-coded flow rates!). BIGIE's built-in stake anchors the tubing securely in the trench prior to the installation of plant material.

Not Just Another Half-Inch Poly Tubing

XBS half-inch poly distribution tubing is extremely durable drip tubing produced with vibrant green, purple or yellow stripes for easy zone identification. Castillo laid the XBS tubing around the oaks and beds of rhododendron and cut it where he needed a BIGIE Stake. "It definitely speeds installation," says Castillo. "The XBS tubing is easy to work with and it's more rigid than other tubing so it lays straighter without kinking, and it's more durable."

One-Size-Fits-All

Further simplifying installation were the Easy Fit Multi-Diameter Compression Fittings. These one-size-fits-all fittings are compatible with any "half-inch" poly tubing size, from .63" through .71" or 16mm, 17mm and 18mm (outside diameter). The Easy Fit Coupling, tee and elbow fittings have a PSI rating of 60! "I really think these are going to make my installation and maintenance jobs so much easier because they take the guesswork out of the equation," says Castillo.

Back Flush Filter Eases Maintenance

To help ease maintenance of the drip system, and keep it operating at its best, Castillo and Beighley specified the Back Flush Filter Control Zone Kit, which includes a patent-pending filtration system combined with a DV valve, pressure regulator and check valve (an anti-siphon model is also available). This Back Flush Filter is unique because it cleans itself automatically on station start-up and shutdown, eliminating the need for manual cleaning, reducing maintenance and increasing the entire drip system's reliability.

"It automatically flushes every time you turn on the zone," says Castillo. "If there's a mainline break and debris gets into the line, I can count on the Back Flush Filter to protect the drip zones."

Outcome

A short time after installation, the management and landscape teams at Nike report positive results.

"Because of the BIGIE Drip System, we've been able to get the water away from the oaks and yet provide the proper water for the rhodies," says Beighley. McBride agrees. "We've now got more control and we've lowered our water usage," he says.

"Drip was definitely appropriate for this area," adds Castillo. "Best of all, our arborist tells us that our beloved oaks are pulling back out of it."