Tree Planting Strategy 2021-2031

Introduction

There is a growing awareness of the importance of trees in both our urban and rural areas.

We must show that our trees are able to cope with increasing threats. These can be from climate change and the introduction of exotic pests and diseases.

Our trees not only look nice and provide landscape value they are key parts of the green infrastructure. They are vital to keep a healthy and attractive environment for current and future generations.

Careful choice of species and the planned location of trees provides long lasting and important benefits for our communities such as:

  • summer shade 
  • being able to lessen the effects of a flood
  • being able to lessen the effects of noise or traffic pollution 
  • offering a positive psychological effect or a sense of wellbeing 
  • providing habitat and resource for our wildlife

We should not underestimate the value of our existing tree stock. The most important value of existing mature trees is they are much more efficient at removing carbon dioxide from the air compared with newly planted trees.

The England Trees Action Plan May 2021 is a national document that is relevant to our strategy and shows how we are at the forefront of delivery through our development of the strategy. We link to actions which include:

  • planting more trees in towns and urban places
  • collaborating with the planners to make sure they include more trees in new development
  • helping fulfil the role of connecting people with trees

Background

The focus of our 10-year tree planting strategy is to increase the:

  • existing tree canopy
  • numbers of trees on land that we own

This means that we will have control, management responsibility and liability for these trees in the future.

It is vital that we not only mange the delivery of the strategy but that we support the aims and best practice as set out in this document. As the lead authority and the party with future liability for trees on its land, we will deliver any tree planting in line with this strategy. This will include any tree planting by parish/town councils and community organisations.

If other groups wish to increase tree planting on their own land or on land controlled by others, we suggest they follow the guiding principles we outline in this strategy. This gives them the greatest chance of positive outcomes and future sustainability.

The document will be a useful tool in guiding tree planting:

  • within new development where the council would expect developers to follow best practice 
  • where there is the likelihood that the council will adopt land and trees transferred by developers

Aims and objectives

The council looks to deliver its’ aims and objectives through this strategy and the associated planting plan.

Our aims are to:

  • provide clarity and consistency of purpose to our programmes of planting and establishment of new trees
  • offer a sustainable approach to maximising resources for tree planting and future maintenance requirements
  • lessen the long-term effects of climate change on our tree population and improve resistance to pests and disease
  • diversify the tree stock through new plantings and by choosing the right species. This must be the case for tree species that are vulnerable to: 
    • current and future pests
    • diseases 
    • a warming climate for example Ash 
  • ensure that the principle of ‘right tree right place’ supports all planting proposed under the strategy 
  • create a tree planting legacy in Arun for the future

Our objectives are to:

  • use the strategy to develop a deliverable 10-year planting plan
  • find a target for the numbers of trees planted over the 10-year period and an outcome in the increase in canopy cover that this will deliver
  • encourage and support community involvement in tree planting and especially with aftercare (watering, mulch application, reporting considerable damage or disease), to increase the tree stock and encourages a sense of ownership/guardianship
  • promote the ‘natural regeneration’ of any existing tree resource where possible
  • prioritise the use of native tree species in or adjoining areas of high conservation value

Benefits of adherence

We find that a well-planned strategy and planting programme based on best practice principles brings benefits.

These benefits include:

  • excellent survival and establishment rates of 95% or more. This means trees that are healthy, of good form and with successful root development.
  • trees which need little maintenance and keep their natural pleasing form throughout their lifespan
  • a positive, pre-emptive response to predicted increases in development and population density by ensuring a greater harmony of developing trees with surrounding hard structures and the wider built environment 
  • significantly reducing options of potentially damaging and costly pruning measures, for example pollarding and crown reduction
  • reduced incidents of footpath problems and damage to light construction such as hard landscape features which may include boundary walls and utility equipment. This includes a smaller amount of tree-root related damage events to private property and reduced liability in any subsidence claims.
  • a long-term increase in the quantity, amenity value and shared sense of ownership/guardianship of our tree stock

Best practice

The council will undertake and follow the guiding principles as set out below in the delivery of the Tree Planting Strategy.

Pest and disease resilience

We will:

  • keep aware of current threats. We will do this by working with nationwide colleagues and with those from industrial and government bodies
  • consider the use of species/varieties with proven disease resistance when addressing specific threats. For example Dutch elm disease
  • grow from trees displaying resistance to the threat. For example Chalara ash dieback
  • try to plant no more than 10% of the same tree species, no more than 20% from the same genus and no more than 30% from the same family, during our annual planting programme 

Over reliance on specific tree groups can reduce biodiversity. It can also leave tree populations vulnerable to severe damage if there are outbreaks of host specific harmful pests and disease.

Appropriate site/tree selection

When choosing trees or sites we will: 

  • match tree types to site conditions. This helps achieve high rates of strong establishment. It also reduces plant stress/post-establishment maintenance pruning.
  • match the final size and spread of the tree to the available space
  • consider NHBC (National House Building Council) building near trees. This provides useful information relating to approximate mature height and water demand of commonly found tree types.
  • share reporting of significant diseases seen. This provides a history of disease on site or in a wider geographic area.
  • consider soil properties such as drainage, pH, soil type and structure
  • consider the presence of potential frost hollows. A frost hollow is a low point in the landscape where cold dense air collects overnight and frost is more likely to form.
  • look at exposure to prevailing or localised (venturi effect) winds or exposure to salt-laden winds
  • look at vulnerability to seasonal waterlogging or drought events

Ensuring high quality procurement

We will:

  • source external plant material from certified UK homegrown suppliers. We prefer that these are local but not at the expense of stock quality
  • introduce a requirement for ‘plant passports’
  • use local provenance wherever available
  • consider seed harvest from and the propagation (limited scale) of specimen trees. The existing gene bank will supplement Arboretum trees (historic association, for example cork oak / Quercus suber) 
  • consider seed collection and propagation/establishment of trees with local provenance, our aim is to use in-house facilities in the future

Planting method – the handling, planting and maintenance of new trees

Timing and quality of planting operations

We will:

  • consider that the best tree planting months are December and January. However, planting may take place between mid-November and mid-February. This is subject to weather and ground conditions.
  • aim to not plant outside the ‘traditional’ tree planting season as this is undesirable due to physiological stress leading to poor pathogen resistance
  • recognise that fluctuations in plant phenological periods may shorten or extend the best planting period
Tree sizes at planting

We will:

  • choose trees of a standard size. We prefer that this is 10 to 12cm girth at a 1.0m height. The size may range from a minimum of 8 to 10cm to a maximum of 12 to 14cm. Fully containerised trees ideally should not exceed 45L in pot volume due to manual handling considerations
  • only use larger specimens in unusual circumstances. This is because they are likely to require mechanised handling, which we will discuss with the client/contractor on an individual basis.
Pit preparation

We will:

  • make our tree pits rectangular in shape. These will have a minimum length and width of 75cm. 
  • fork over the base of all tree pits to a minimum depth of 15cm below the containerised root system  
  • perforate the side walls of the containerised root system to encourage developing roots to access the surrounding soil
Installation

We will:

  • always cover tree roots to prevent the drying out of roots
  • remove any container or wrap directly prior to planting. Then we will cover roots with infill material
  • avoid planting when there are cold or drying winds 
  • place the root collar level with nearby ground levels. We will keep it free from contact with mulch applications and strimmer guards
  • wind any irrigation tube (these are a perforated 60mm diameter plastic tube) around tree roots from the base of the pit and to approximately 10cm proud of the surface 
  • use only quality topsoil or peat-free compost in the tree pit along with original material 
  • make sure it is progressively ‘firmed in’ to prevent excessive settlement 
Tree support 

We will:

  • make sure that the level of support used is a compromise between the need to protect the tree from mechanical damage and to encourage stem agitation from the prevailing wind. This helps with the development of a strong root system
  • install 1 stake as standard and any extra stakes are at the discretion of the supervising officer. Where we install 2 stakes we prefer a crossbar arrangement with a single wrap-around strap and spacer
  • position single stakes on the prevailing windward side. To prevent stem chafing we will cut off above the securing tie. We will install these at a minimum depth of 600mm to provide rigid support to the tree for a minimum period of 3 years
  • install upright stakes as we prefer this for bare root trees where the rooting pattern allows. We may position these obliquely where necessary to protect containerised stock
Tree protection 

We will:

  • fit all trees with a short but durable grille strimmer guard, secured with cable ties and into the ground with bio-degradable pegs
  • not use spiral tree guards as the majority are not bio-degradable. They are unsightly and add to litter problems. They also tend to cause spindly growth, due to a reduction in space and light and can be hard to remove as the sapling grows
  • use wire mesh cages where specified as an added item by the supervising officer, on sites where there is a perceived significant risk of mechanical damage
  • apply composted bark/woodchip mulch evenly across surface area of the tree pit between a minimum of 5cm to a maximum of 10cm depth of composted (leaving a minimum 5cm gap all around the stem base) 
Tree aftercare 

We will:

  • prepare a formal and shared record of ‘young tree maintenance.’ We will update this annually to ensure we capture all newly planted trees on a minimum 3-year programme. 
  • undertake routine tasks in addition to ad-hoc intervention which includes
    • weeding
    • application of composted bark mulch/ soil dressing  
    • formative pruning 
    • adjustment of stakes and ties as needed
    • reduction from full to half-stake height as soon as practical. The aim is to have all standard trees free-standing 3 years after planting. 
  • water the trees at the instruction of the supervising officer 
Tree species/cultivar choice 

We will:

  • decide the right tree types following careful consideration of the site’s unique characteristics and the goals of the planting scheme
  • avoid tree types vulnerable to current disease threats 
  • avoid tree types which are the subject of plant health orders. We will instead consider alternative species which have proven resistance
  • aim for a strong theme of uniformity in certain areas. We will do this by using a minimal number of tree types for greater visual impact and the promotion of plant communities
Tree characteristics 

We will:

  • consider the final size and spread of the trees. Size at maturity must match the available space.
  • consider the rooting pattern and vigour
  • consider the plant association and any negative or positive influence on nearby tree or shrub cover. This is both on and off-site. 
  • consider the fruit type and quantity 
  • not encourage the introduction of heavily fruiting trees such as Malus ‘John Downie’ or any orchard-type varieties grown for their fruit. The exception is if we are looking to deliver orchard areas. 
  • avoid varieties which show epicormic/basal growth if we do not prune them 
  • avoid varieties which produce ‘suckers’ growth
  • avoid varieties which have poison fruit, seeds, or foliage
  • avoid varieties which develop large thorns and sharp growth at low level (for example Gleditisia, Robinia, Kalopanax species)

Whip planting

We find that the planting of whips alongside standard trees brings different benefits.

Whips are:

  • young bare-root saplings, usually around a year old. We buy these in bundles or as single plants. 
  • normally available between November and March and come in three sizes: 
    • 30-45cm
    • 45-60cm 
    • 60-90cm 
      The 45-60cm size are the most successful to grow and are most suitable for large-scale planting schemes
  • easier to plant than standard trees. This can be a fantastic way to get communities involved. Looking after the trees will be an ongoing project as they need weeding, any vandalism needs noting and tree guards need checking
  • versatile. You can use them for hedge planting, creating scrub areas or re-wilding
  • featured prominently in our tree planting plan

Hedge planting creates valuable habitats and corridors for wildlife. New hedgerows that link with existing hedgerows or other habitats such as scrub or woodland are valuable for wildlife and biodiversity.

The planting of trees and hedgerows can create a natural barrier to flood waters. They can reduce sediment drawn into watercourses and increase water absorption into the ground. Trees can also capture pollutants contained in run-off such as fertilisers and pesticides.

Rewilding is now a choice for land management as it helps restore ecosystems and supports greater biodiversity. Whip planting is a low-cost method of ecological restoration. Restoring native plants to habitats is vital to preserving biodiversity across the district. By creating a mixture of native plant gardens and rewilding areas across the district each patch becomes part of a collective effort to nurture and sustain the living landscape wildlife.

Climate change 

There is uncertainty in the predictions for future seasonal weather patterns. The rate of extreme weather events is becoming more frequent. Current projection is a trend towards hotter, drier summers and warmer, wetter, windier winters. It is therefore wise to consider the use of both native and exotic species. This will build-in longer term resilience and allow us to ‘hedge our bets.’

 

Trees and development

The greenspace service consult on new development proposals. We will consider relevant policies, statutory duties and council objectives as part of any consultation. We will advise and guide developers to the best practice found in the strategy once it is in place. 

We do not make the specifications for proposals on private land. We do however assess the proposals and advise on them as part of the consultation process.

We give a Local Planning Authority (LPA) Greenspace recommendation before the planning department make a final decision on the application.

Public Open Space areas including proposals for tree planting within development sites are subject to the LPA process. They do not have to follow one set policy requirement. They can use adopted Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) a design guide and adopted strategies and consideration of central government requirements for example biodiversity net gain requirements, coming forward with the Environment Bill.

Planting plan

* Denotes sites where part/full planting is proposed in year 1
** Denotes commitment for additional tree planting under strategy but reliant on other factors before determining scope

Planting plan

Site name

Ward

Whips

Standards

Aldwick Green

Aldwick East

24

1

Barrack Lane POS

Aldwick East

150

1

West Park*

Aldwick East

1000

8

Avisford Recreation Ground

Aldwick West

100

3

Queens Field Recreation

Aldwick West

0

7

Rose Green POS

Aldwick West

0

3

The Oaks POS

Aldwick West

0

2

Bewley Road Estate

Angmering & Findon

0

2

Findon Cemetery

Angmering & Findon

1000

4

Findon Recreation Ground

Angmering & Findon

1950

0

Lloyd Goring Close

Angmering & Findon

0

3

Palmer Road Recreation Ground**

Angmering & Findon

0

0

Older Way

Angmering & Findon

0

2

The Oval*

Angmering & Findon

0

5

Arundel Cemetery**

Arundel & Walberton

0

0

Canada Road POS*

Arundel & Walberton

700

4

Meadsway

Arundel & Walberton

400

6

Arundel Orchard*

Arundel & Walberton

0

3

Garden Crescent POS

Barnham

120

3

Marshall Close*

Barnham

0

3

St.Richards Rd & Ivy Lane

Barnham

750

5

Mewsbrook Park - Ruby Gardens

Beach

50

0

Mewsbrook Park

Beach

2000

30

Middle Mead POS

Beach

100

14

Norfolk Leisure Gardens

Beach

0

17

Norfolk Leisure Gardens Pitch & Putt

Beach

3000

19

The Cloisters POS

Beach

125

5

The Whapple POS 1*

Beach

390

8

Trinity Way POS

Beach

0

5

Berghestede POS

Bersted

0

2

Bersted Park (inc. all fields)*

Bersted

8500

36

Chalcraft Cemetery

Bersted

0

4

Holly Court*

Bersted

0

2

Meadow Way

Bersted

0

2

Rowan Way POS

Bersted

300

2

The Brooks*

Bersted

3000

3

Brookfield Park*

Brookfield

2000

33

Columbine Way POS

Brookfield

0

10

Littlehampton Cemetery

Brookfield

0

10

The Faroes POS

Brookfield

120

10

Windward Close POS

Brookfield

0

11

Hearnfield Road POS

Courtwick & Toddington

0

2

Helyers Green

Courtwick & Toddington

2000

25

Heo Green

Courtwick & Toddington

500

8

Linnet Close East POS

Courtwick & Toddington

30

10

Linnet Close West POS

Courtwick & Toddington

0

13

Sunken Lane*

Courtwick & Toddington

1500

10

Wickbourne Estate/Greenfields

Courtwick & Toddington

500

3

Worthing Road Recreation Ground

Courtwick & Toddington

500

10

Langmead Recreation Ground*

East Preston

600

15

Lashmar Recreation Ground

East Preston

500

0

Felpham Site 6**

Felpham East

0

0

King George V Recreation Ground*

Felpham East

0

5

The Hartings POS

Felpham East

150

4

Old Rectory Gardens**

Felpham West

0

0

Glebelands Recreation Ground*

Ferring

0

7

Felpham Recreation Ground

Hotham

40

8

Hotham Park*

Hotham

0

2

Bognor Mounds

Hotham

0

0

Ladybrook Orchard*

Hotham

0

1

Marine Park Gardens**

Aldwick East

0

0

The Steyne Gardens

Marine

0

1

Bognor Mounds**

Marine

0

4

Waterloo Gardens**

Marine

0

0

Rock Gardens

Marine

0

16

Cootes Lane*

Middleton on Sea

0

3

Juniper Close POS

Middleton on Sea

0

1

Larksfield Recreation Ground

Middleton on Sea

100

9

Larksfield Recreation Ground Extension*

Middleton on Sea

0

3

Silver Birch Drive POS

Middleton on Sea

0

1

Bognor Cemetery

Orchard

0

14

Laburnum Recreation Ground

Orchard

0

12

Amberley Green Estate

Pevensey

0

6

Monterey Gardens POS

Pevensey

105

2

Linden Park Recreation Ground

River

500

3

Marina Gardens

River

0

2

Oyster Pond

River

0

8

Brickfields Recreation Ground*

Rustington West

500

11

Giles Close/Cobham Close*

Yapton

0

2

May Close POS

Yapton

150

2

Tack Lee Road

Yapton

30

0

Wooldridge Walk POS*

Yapton

0

3

TOTAL

-

33,484

513

Deviations and additions to the planting plan

  1. Replacement for trees subject to Tree Preservation Order – the LPA must agree. May also be subject to conditions of consent or represent a legal duty as described in The Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation) (England) Regulations 2012.
  2. Replacement for trees felled within a conservation area - as per agreement with LPA.
  3. Where necessary to preserve and keep established, prominent local tree groups (landscape features) of high amenity value.
  4. Where necessary to perpetuate a prominent single tree (specimen of local importance) feature.
  5. Sometimes removal of established trees can create an opportunity to relieve the council of a maintenance burden. This is where the cost of keeping the tree is more than the present amenity/environmental value. In this event, and where an alternative tree type would not satisfy our criteria, we should find a more suitable location nearby. We will consider this as an addition to the approved planting plan and it should be within the same ward.
  6. Where an added opportunity presents itself, which may include open space adopted during the duration of this plan, and only with the approval of the council’s arboriculture officer.
  7. Where a suitable opportunity presents itself, the consideration of strategic land purchase to expand the remit of planting proposals under this plan.

Outcomes

Key outcomes from the delivery of this strategy and planting plan will include:

  1. The planting of a minimum of 33,000 whips and 500 standard trees across the 10-year plan.
  2. A carbon sequestration calculation of 1,942,300 kg based on the proposals under this strategy1.
  3. Raising the profile of climate change and the benefits of trees by delivering community planting events across the district and over the course of the strategy.

1All trees are great environmental contributors they are all doing their bit to lock up carbon by taking carbon dioxide out of the air and converting it into their structures. Calculation is based on ‘Barcham Top Trunks’ which gives a guide to the amount of carbon each variety stores. The measurement is the estimated maximum dry weight of carbon at maturity, for example the longer a tree lives and the larger it gets the more contribution it delivers.