Species Selection

Growing together series | Species Selection E P Y T By Appointment To Her Majesty The Queen D Specialist Container Tree Growers Speci eN s Barcham Trees PLC, Ely A E M U SelectiL on O V E By Appointment A guide to informT ed To His Royal Highness The Prince o f Wales Specialist Container Tree Growers A A Barcham Trees PLC, Ely U R T decision-makinT g U F F L S R N M L A O B T U O N I N W U T I E C T C E S M O H R A N L P P O O IR U M V R O N S F C E N O L IO L A IT IA C D G SIT LO N NT E S E C O E IC O C NM ET N RO H ST VI T R EN HA S A LT P E I I E A N BU T S HT OUG ON DR S E C I T T SALINTY O O V V R R L DE L E E E E S S R R A A M M PH N N E E T T C C S S E ON E Y Y S TI S S S W O O AT C C ER E E L OG GG N PE IN IO S G AT T & L HAR ESS D DIN C IS O EA N M S IO P E T A A Z C R T O T T N N I C O S E S V E E E L N U U M A I Q G M M N R N E A O I S M A A R T I R E T E V I L R C N O A H H E N R A T E L U N I A T U T G A B E N The Tree Specialists Growing together series | Species Selection Growing together series | Species Selection Species selection chart Introduction E P The phrase ‘The right Tree for the Right Place’ is often used. It implies that Y T D N for every planting situation there is a right tree. It suggests that there is an A E ‘off the shel f’ solution to tree selection and that all that is required is to go M U L O to the appropriate indexed compartment and the answer will be found with V E T planting success subsequently guaranteed. A A U R T F T U F L R S N M L A O B U O T N I W N I U T E It denies the fact that the selection of trees, for any planting site, is the outcome of a thought C T C E S M O H R A N L P P O O M IR process, it is an intellectual process. It involves the juxtaposition and combination of many U V R O N S F C E N O L O L A TI factors, all of which will influence, positively or negatively, the likelihood of post planting IA C I G O D T E SITE L N EN SI S C O M ZE TIC ON C N A E S RO success and longevity in the landscape. A knowledge of the tree species, where it occurs and ND H T VI S T R EN HA S A LT P E I I E A N BU thrives in nature, its specific tolerances and preferences, the ecosystem services and potential T S disservices it delivers, coupled with its aesthetic characteristics need to be matched with the GHT POLL OU UTION DR S environmental and other constraints present at any planting site. E The Tree Specialists C I T SALINTY O V R SHADE L There is never a single right answer and usually a compromise has to be found. However, this E SPECIES E S R A M PH SELECTION N E compromise can be a result of uniformed guesswork or reached, as a result of, an educated, T C S N E Y TIO S CEP S W evidence- based assessment of all the factors involved. TER O AT IN C ER R E L ATE OG INW GIN RA N PE G IO S This handbook does not pretend to be a text book or offer a comprehensive guide to tree AT T & L HAR ESS D PU DIN C IS PO O EA E N M S species selection but rather is a handy reference source outlining the many factors which E IO P E TR T A A Z C R T O T inform the decision- making process and act as a stimulus to encourage those selecting trees T N N I C O S E S V E E E L N U U M A I Q G M M N R to refer to more comprehensive and complete reference works. N E A O I S M A A 2 R T I R E T O E V I C L R C N O A H H E N The table of trees at the back of the guide is based on the Barcham Book ‘A Time for Trees’. R A T E L U N I A T U T G B A Again, it does not pretend to be a comprehensive guide to all tree species and the information E N on tree characteristics is based on the best evidence available at the current time. This does mean that there are gaps where information is unavailable or incomplete. I hope you will find this guide useful, stimulating and thought provoking. TO PLANTING MAINTENANCE & LONGEVITY IN SUCCESS MANAGEMENT THE LANDSCAPE Keith Sacre MSc Arb, BSc (Hons) Arb, MICFor, Chartered Arboriculturist. BOTANICAL AND COMMON NAMES For tree selection to be effective trees should be fully and correctly named. This is achieved by the using the binomial system of nomenclature. Details of this can be found in the National Plant Specification. The Tree Specialists 2 Tel: 01353 720 748 | www.barchampro.co.uk 3 1.0 Site Constraints The Tree Specialists 1.0 Site Constraints Site Constraints 1.0 Planting sites vary considerably. These variations all affect tree species choice to a greater or S S i i t t lesser degree. Conditions range from undisturbed natural soil through to highly disturbed e e C C o o urban substrates where soil is at a premium and often not a consideration at all. Prior to a tree n n s s species or species being selected, a comprehensive categorisation of the constraints present t t r r a a i i n n at any site should be developed, assessed and understood. Without this assessment, t t s s appropriate tree selection is almost impossible. Constraints which impact on tree species choice: Soil: T T o o l l e e r r a Soil, structure and texture: Impacts on soil water retention and movement, drainage, nutrient a n n c c e availability and vulnerability to compaction. e s s Soil profile: Undisturbed soils that have not suffered extensive human disturbance have a distinct soil profile. Such a soil profile is unlikely to be apparent on most urban planting sites. A detailed knowledge of the available substrate will enable will inform planned amelioration and volume available for root development H H a a r r d d i Soil pH: Has a major impact on the availability of plant nutrients It also effects the growth of i n n e e s plant roots and micro-organisms within the substrate present. s s s Soil drainage: Inadequate drainage can lead to Pterocarya fraxinifolia, London. E E anaerobic conditions in the soil. A lack of oxygen c c o o s s leads to root death and subsequently whole tree y y s s Air movement: Air movement around trees in the built environment can be varied. These t t failure. The high levels of carbon dioxide, which e e m m movements can often be localised and extreme. s s result, can be toxic. Temperatures: Air and surface temperatures are influencing tree growth and development affected by the surface materials surrounding newly planted trees. These temperature fluctuations can often be extreme and localised. They have the potential to affect adversely, Soil compaction: As soil is compacted the physical resistance to tree root growth is increased, A A drainage, gaseous exchange and the availability of water and nutrients in addition to potentially e e soil aggregates break down and pore space is diminished. This is reflected in increased soil s s causing physical damage to the newly planted tree. t t h h e bulk density. The respiration of roots and soil biota is adversely affected which in turn impacts e t t i i c Buildings and other infrastructure: Buildings and other infrastructure impact on shade patterns, c s on nutrient recycling and availability. Appreciable compaction of soil leads to physiological s dysfunctions in plants. light levels, air movement and water movement. The proximity of trees to buildings is another consideration with the potential for root induced below ground damage to buildings on Macro and microclimatic conditions: shrinkable clays. Light levels: Light levels vary especially in urban environments. Planting sites can be in areas Existing tree cover: Existing tree cover can provide a useful indication as to which species will of permanent or partial shade or in areas where light levels vary considerably during the course thrive or not in local conditions.

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