Project Title

TREE AND SHRUB PLANTING

Code

L4

Project summary

Planting trees and shrubs on suitable sites from road verges to shelter belts and small copses, to improve the landscape and enhance wildlife. Planted trees should be native and subject to local consultation. Species include: sessile oak, yew, wych elm, white, goat and crack willow, silver and downy birch, rowan, bird and wild cherry, alder, aspen, holly, hazel, hawthorn, elder, and non-natives in certain limited situations.

Project management

Sites should be checked for species suitability.
Big trees need more space and should be planted 10m away from buildings, to allow for the impact of shading and the extraction of water by roots around foundations.
Tree planting procedure should be carefully considered to ensure the highest success rate.
Onward maintenance.
Encourage those living near by to adopt a tree or group of trees. This could help to protect them from vandalism.
Water during the summer, using washing up water or bath water.
Remove tree ties as they grown.
Seed should be gained from local sources and could be grown until ready for planting in a range of locations. It may be feasible to set up a local tree nursery that can be used to grow saplings from locally collected seed (possibly incorporated within a community garden) - preferably for specific planting projects (so long-term planning is required).

Project locations

On suitable small sites. Large sites would be covered in management plans. Many sites have already been planted up with trees, such as Oxley Park and various smaller open spaces.

Planning permission

NO

Project links

Environmental stewards (A6)
Community tools (C1)
Trees of time and place.

Economic Implications

Funding - set up costs

Tree saplings/whips
Leaflets asking people where they would like a tree or group of trees to be located.
Possible development of an adopt a tree pack.

Sources of funding: South Yorkshire Forest (Countryside Agency Community Conservation grants), South Yorkshire Forest Environment Trust (landfill tax credits), Sheffield City Council small grants, New Opportunities Fund, Community Chest (SRB).

Funding - running costs

Monitoring and replacement of vandalised trees. Much later trees will require monitoring and surgery to ensure public safety.

Employment

Development worker and environment steward.

Tourism

A long-term project. People value trees for their beauty, shade in the summer, wildlife and their ability to reduce noise and particulate pollution.

Social Implications

Community involvement

Community consultation on possible location and local people to be encouraged to adopt a tree or trees.

Schools involvement

Schools or classes could get involved in adopting a tree. There are lots of educational resources based around trees from the Woodland Trust, Tree Council, and the South Yorkshire Community Forest.

Recreational benefits

Reduced noise and particulate pollution, plus shade in the summer. People value trees in the landscape.

Environmental Implications

Local Agenda 21

This project encourages people to value native tree species. More native trees will support more wildlife and also reduce carbon dioxide levels through growth.

Wildlife

Provides a valuable wildlife habitat.

Project viability

Constraints

Some trees are not suitable for verges, e.g. holly.
A long-term project - trees take a long time to mature.
Community safety, perception of safety and sight line should be considered.
Roots of trees can damage structures and foundations.