Tree Planting Guidance V9 Final for Publication.Docx

Information Classification: CONTROLLED

Forest for Cornwall

Woodland/Tree Canopy planting guidance

Cornwall Council – August 2020 Contents – click on each heading to take you directly to the page

1 Introduction to Forest for Cornwall 3

2 Right tree in the right place for the right purpose 4

3 Evaluation of a site before planting 4

4 Planning your tree planting scheme 7

5 Site preparation for tree planting 8

6 Tree planting and establishment 8

7 Wood pasture and parkland 14

8 Orchards and fruiting hedgerow trees 15

9 Hedgerow planting and establishment 16

10 Hedgerow management 18

11 Edible Hedges 21

12 Natural regeneration 21

13 Agroforestry 22

14 Urban trees 23

15 Aftercare and ongoing maintenance 25

16 Large scale tree planting 26

17 Resources 27

Thank you to the Woodland Trust for their support during the founding stages of the Forest for Cornwall and for kindly allowing us to use the images from their media library in this publication. We will be working closely with the Woodland Trust and others to deliver the Forest for Cornwall vision.

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 2 1 Introduction to the Forest for Cornwall

The Forest for Cornwall, conceived by Cornwall Council, is an ambitious tree planting project with the principle aim of helping to combat climate change. When complete we hope it will cover approximately 8,000 hectares - that’s about 2% of Cornwall’s land area.

The Forest for Cornwall is not a single area of new forest. It’s our ambition to significantly increase all forms of tree cover throughout Cornwall, whilst strengthening protection for our existing backbone of trees, woodlands and hedges.

The Forest for Cornwall is part of Cornwall Council's response to climate change and striving towards a carbon neutral Cornwall.

However, Cornwall Council can’t deliver these targets on its own. Participation and partnership is essential if we are to achieve the ambitious aims of the Forest for Cornwall. We aim to motivate everyone to look after the trees that they already have, to think about having more trees and hedges on their own land, and for local communities to develop their own tree planting schemes.

This guide to woodland and tree canopy planting takes you through the process of establishing your own project and to ensure that it flourishes in the future as part of the Forest for Cornwall.

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 3 2 Right tree in the right place for the right purpose

This is an overarching principle for the Forest for Cornwall. As well as several large areas of woodland, there will be many smaller copses and individual trees, with connecting corridors in the form of hedgerows, and trees along rivers, trails and cycle routes and in urban streets.

Some larger sites will be planted by using ‘woodland opportunity mapping’ carried out by the University of Exeter (https://lagas.co.uk/,) which identifies the best sites. The programme will involve planting new trees and protecting existing trees and hedges. Forest for Cornwall will also aim to support opportunistic planting and rewilding by landowners, businesses and community groups.

Planting will be sensitive to existing environmental, heritage and landscape features, whilst recognising that we are living in a changing world. Evaluation of these factors on a proposed site for planting are outlined below.

New planting will consist of a mix of native and, where appropriate, non-native trees. To guide you we have drawn up a list of tree species, which provide best climate and disease resilience.

Forest for Cornwall aims to adopt environmental best practise for tree establishment. There is a preference for avoiding or minimising the use of plastic tree tubes and exploring how these can be eliminated or more sustainable products can be developed, and avoiding or minimising the use of chemicals. We will encourage others to follow the approach wherever they can. 3 Evaluation of site before planting

Biodiversity

Existing and alternative habitats may be better at carbon capture and for diversity than trees for a given site. It is important to evaluate this before considering tree planting.

You may start by asking what have you already got on site and how would the tree planting impact on this? Consider if the tree planting would result in improved wildlife habitat but not at the expense of other rich habitats. You can check any designations such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s) on the Cornwall Council Interactive Map.

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 4 During your project planning phase, look to increase connectivity between habitats as a whole and for a mix of habitats that provide a rich diversity for wildlife. Think about tree species that provide good habitat for wildlife, and aim for a mix of species where possible.

Heritage

Before planning tree planting schemes, carry out a heritage audit for the site. Is the site designated by Historic England as a scheduled monument or listed building, or is it recorded on the Cornwall Council Historic Environment record (HER). Is it part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site and what? You can check the Historical Map Layer on the Cornwall Council Interactive Map for this information. https://map.cornwall.gov.uk/website/ccmap Think about potential damage to sites from root damage or wind throw from fallen trees uprooting and damage surface and underground archaeology. If there is a risk of this happening, consider a different site where tree planting would be less damaging. When considering orchard planting, ensure your plans reflect local cultural distinctiveness and try to include local varieties where possible. If there are ancient or veteran trees on the site please seek specialist advice. Find out more about the importance of these trees: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british- trees/ancient-trees/

Landscape

Tree planting and connectivity should be planned to add to landscape value rather than detract, is the area you are planting within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty? It’s important to visualise how your planned plantings will fit in the landscape when they are established. Will it obscure views both within the landscape, looking out and looking in? how your proposal fits in with the Forest for Cornwall as a whole is an important consideration.

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/ Tree Cano py Plantin g Guidance 5 The following flowchart is a useful tool to help decide if your site is a good place for a tree planting scheme:

Selection of sites suitable for tree planting

Do you have to plant trees No Consider Natural Regeneration. This is a low carbon way of establishing new woodland

to create a woodland? through natural seedling establishment. It results in more natural wildlife rich woods with scrub such as br amble protecting growing trees from rabbits and deer .On large sites grazing Yes animals can be introduced later at low densities to maintain areas of valuable grassland and scrub mosaic within the woodland. What type of site are you thinking of planting trees

on? Don’t plant trees - the site is likely to be a semi-natural habitat of wildlife value. Old,

Yes unimproved grasslands, coastal grasslands and permanent pastures are habitats of wildlife importance for plants, fungi and insects. These habitats already store carbon and planting Yes Grassland rich in trees on them may shade out existing species, resulting in a net loss of biodiversity. wildflowers and /or fungi These sites may also have designations for wildlife (e.g. County Wildlife Site, Site of Special Yes Scientific Interest) or historic features (e.g. scheduled ancient monument); Check Coastal habitats e.g. cliffs and sand dunes *https://map.cornwall.gov.uk/website/ccmap

Moorland e.g. heather Yes Seek advice before planting trees –Heathland and wetland are very valuable habitats for dominated. Does it have wildlife but both are threatened and declining. Important wetlands are not always easy to historic features such as identify, especially in winter. Both heathlands and wetlands already store carbon and barrows ? planting trees on them can dry them out and cast shade, resulting in a net loss of Yes biodiversity. As well as being species rich, these sites may have a wildlife or historic Wet, marshy or adjacent designation; check * https://map.cornwall.gov.uk/website/ccmap to a stream? Seek advice before planting trees –Existing woodlands and scrub are very often valuable for Does the site already wildlife and tree planting may not be appropriate for the following reasons: Yes have trees e.g. parkland, • Clearings in woodland are often the most wildlife rich parts of a wood. It is not orchards, established necessary to have continuous tree cover woodland or scrub? • Ancient woodlands are very special and need careful management. Choice of tree species /planting locations is vital to ensure wildlife benefit, but natural regeneration is Other habitat e.g. mine likely to be more appropriate; check for Ancient Woodland locations by selecting

sites, bare ground, ‘habitats and species’, then ‘woodland’ on https://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx hedges or bracken • Parkland (widely spaced trees in grassland) and orchards are valuable habitats in which slopes it is important to maintain large clearings between trees. Both may also be important Farmland e.g. arable or landscape and historic features; check * https://map.cornwall.gov.uk/website/ccmap grassland with few Yes wildflower plants or fungi Seek expert advice before planting trees - habitats such as mine sites, bare ground, and south facing hedges or bracken slopes can be incredibly valuable for invertebrates. Planting

Yes trees on them may lead to a loss of these rare and valuable habitats through shading making them unsuitable for invertebrates and resulting in a net loss of biodiversity. Call the Wildlife Have you checked that establishing trees is the Information Service on 01872 302250 or visit https://erccis.org.uk/information-and-advice best natural solution to No Adapt management practices to reduce carbon emissions e.g. better soil management, or storing carbon? implement alternative land use e.g. establishing permanent pasture. Yes Suitable for tree planting: • Use trees of certified UK provenance to avoid importing tree diseases i.e. grown in this country from locally-sourced seed, or collect and grow your own seeds. • Plant suitable species and think about the proximity of the planting site to existing wildlife habitat, remember to buffer important habitats to avoid spread of unsuitable species e.g. birch scrub on heathland. • Choosing a high proportion of native species, ideally over 75%, is best for wildlife as they will be used by a wider range of species than non-native trees. Avoid spe cies that can be invasive e.g. laurel, rhododendron, tamarisk and sea buckthorn – note Ash is no longer suitable to plant due to ash die back, substitute with alder, small leaved lime or field maple.

• Maximise wildlife benefit of newly planted woodland through encouraging structural diversity by creating wavy edges and retaining open areas in larger woodland blocks; ensuring continuing care and maintenance of planted trees is also important. • Plant trees at suitable time of year when the seedling is dormant- Mid-November to early March.

* To check for historic and wildlife designations on https://map.cornwall.gov.uk select layers and turn on those for ‘Environment & Planning’ and ‘Historical’. You may need an Environmental Impact Assessment or Heritage Impact Assessment before planting in some locations ht tps://www.gov.uk/guidance/assess-environmental-impact-before-you-create-new-woodland

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 6 © Edward Parker/WTML

4 Planning your tree planting scheme

Tree planting needs to be carefully planned if it is to be successful and to maximise the potential benefits. There are a number of key things to take into consideration while planning a tree or woodland establishment scheme, including:

• Trees should only be planted with the landowner’s permission. The planting needs to be planned to meet the objectives of the owner and if it is a community planting scheme, the benefit of the community. There needs to be a long-term view on the tree planting scheme with regard to ownership, and an agreement around who will look after the newly planted trees during establishment and beyond.

• Consider the long- term impact of planting and be considerate to neighbours and adjoining landowners. Issues around tree roots, leaves or shade, obstructing views, and leaves impacting on maintenance of the rain drains may cause difficulties in the future if you do not plan for them now.

• Carry out an evaluation of the site for safety. This would include amongst other things: any underground and/or overhead services in the area, any road sight lines or road signs, if the land is ‘contaminated’ (e.g. through previous use).

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 7 • Create a management plan for your site as planting the trees is only the first step in the Forest for Cornwall process and long-term commitment and care is needed. It also provides an opportunity to focus on the aims of your project and how you are going to achieve them long term (e.g. if it is a community planting then engaging the community in activities such as weeding, wildlife recording and tree growth).

5 Site preparation for tree planting

Plants will not grow well where soil contains too little air or where soil moisture is either excessive or insufficient. Pre-planting soil preparation should aim to improve these conditions:

• Before you start planting, mark out where each tree will be placed using stones, spray paint or canes.

• If your planting area is overgrown, cut the grass short and weed. This will make planting easier and reduce competition for water, helping your saplings to thrive.

• For larger trees loosen the soil to a depth equivalent to the height of the rootball and over a wide area to eliminate compaction and improve drainage.

• Improve soil structure on heavy or sandy soils by incorporating organic matter such as compost and remove any large stones.

6 Tree planting and establishment

Trees grow really well in Cornwall but getting them established successfully can provide a challenge in particular places. These are the result of climatic conditions and local soils, which range from the sheltered valleys of the south coast to the exposed cliffs of North Cornwall. Therefore, the selection of trees to be planted needs careful consideration. Whilst trees will grow in most conditions selecting the right tree species and the right kind of tree to plant (e.g. size) is important.

In the more exposed conditions it is more sustainable to plant smaller ‘whips’ that grow in and adapt to the local conditions than to plant a large ‘specimen tree’ that has been grown in a sheltered tree nursery in another part of the

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 8 country. Planting large trees in these situations requires intense aftercare and lack of care can result in high losses. Salt tolerant and wind resilient trees should be considered for exposed sites.

Soil contamination is an issue on former mining sites, both for establishing trees and when considering planting trees with edible fruits and nuts. In addition, soils in Cornwall can often be shallow which has an impact on soil stability. These sites are more challenging and may require professional advice and more resources to be successful.

When to plant

Tree planting is generally a winter activity when trees are dormant (i.e. not growing). Late November to February is a good time to plant bare root trees, provided that the ground is not flooded and is free from frost, as this gives the trees time to develop new roots before starting to grow in spring. However, depending on the season bare rooted trees can be planted between late November and March. Container grown trees can be planted at other times but planting during the summer months is not advised as they will need additional watering to get them established.

How to select your Tree species mix © Victoria Chesterton/WTML • Look at what is growing well locally and is characteristic of the local landscape. Find out about the soils and other site conditions (e.g. rainfall, frosts etc.) and previous land use to see what can be planted and what challenges you might have (e.g. agricultural weeds).

• Consider carefully where you will get your stock from and enquire at several nurseries. Remember to ask them about where the trees they sell originate and are grown – a tree sapling grown in the UK throughout its life is less likely to carry diseases.

• Aim for a range of species to ensure climate and disease resilience.

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 9 • Create a tree ‘palette’ (the best tree species for the conditions and requirements) for the site and plan your planting accordingly.

Choosing your planting stock - Source: Tree Council – Tree Planting Guide

Types of tree stock

Seedlings, Feather Standard Heavy Semi-mature transplants and standard whips Very cheap, Relatively Relatively Expensive Most expensive good way of cheap expensive option achieving large Good for areas of More likely to Requires more prestigious Instant impact planting be stressed or planting sites damaged preparation Needs careful Easy to plant, during planting planning ideal for than smaller Good way to community trees achieve Needs great planting immediate deal of schemes Requires more visual impact maintenance skilled planting for long time Resilient to to reduce risk after planting stress of of wind transplanting damage

• Bare root - usually small trees, grown in open ground, sold as transplants in winter with no soil covering roots – take care not to leave them out of the bags as the roots will quickly dry out • Root balled – bare root but covered in soil and wrapped in hessian. Usually larger trees such as standards (see above re root protection when preparing to plant) • Containerised – as root balled but transplanted into containers • Container grown – usual stock supplied at garden centres

Other ways of obtaining trees

• Growing from seed collected in the autumn • Taking cuttings from species such as willow and dogwood • Grafting, for example fruit trees • Transplanting seedlings

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 10 • In existing coppice woodlands, trees can be propagated by layering younger stems.

Pre-planting care

Careless handling between the time bare rooted trees are lifted in the tree nursery and finally planted out can lead to loss of trees. Ideally trees need to be planted as soon after delivery as possible and the roots protected to prevent them from drying out.

If this is not possible and planting will be some time (or next season), the best way to store bare rooted trees prior to planting is by heeling in, where you dig a trench in fresh, moist soil with the trench sloping backwards. It is essential that the trench is deep enough for the tree roots to be completely covered. Trees in bundles need to be separated and spaced along the trench. The soil covering the roots needs to be firmed lightly by treading.

Tree planting techniques

Small trees

• Notch planting – notch or slit planting with a spade in the quickest way to plant small trees. It is suitable for large scale planting of small bare-rooted trees such as transplants and whips. It is not suitable for larger specimens. • Turf planting – this technique is used to plant small trees in wet ground as it improves drainage around the roots. A square turf is cut and turned grass side down onto the ground next to it to raise the ground level. The tree is then planted using the notch planting technique.

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 11 • More detailed guidance can be found on the Woodland Trust website https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/advice/how-to-plant/

All trees should have mulch applied at the time of planting to reduce the need to weed and water the trees during establishment.

Weeding and watering regularly is an important part of the tree establishment process, especially if the weather is dry for a sustained period of time. It is particularly important to do this in the first and second year as the roots extend further and wider into the soil.

Large trees

Schemes which involve planting larger specimen trees require specialist advice. Please contact the Forest for Cornwall team for guidance.

Tree protection

When trees are young, they are vulnerable to damage by animals and people. Therefore, it is important to consider how the trees will be protected when planning a planting scheme.

Things to think about:

• What are you protecting the trees against – rabbits, hares, deer, vandalism etc? • Cost – if you are planting a significant area with whips then it is usually cheaper to protect groups of trees rather than individual trees. • All forms of protection add to maintenance costs. For example tree ties need to be checked and it is best practice for tree guards to be removed to avoid litter in the environment. • Steps are in place to research and manufacture more environmentally friendly tree shelters and guards and it may be worth researching these. • Some species are particularly susceptible to animal damage and choosing more resilient trees may be a better option.

Choices:

• Fences – the cost relates to the area of land enclosed. Consideration needs to be taken about the shape of the enclosure, squares and rectangles are cheaper to fence than long linear strips. Perimeter fencing is usually

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 12 cheaper than tree guards in larger plantations but be clear as to what your are seeking to fence out (e.g. rabbits, deer, stock) and ensure your fence reflects this and ensure there are none within the fenced area. Even if you fence consider other potential damaging species such as voles1 and how you might approach them (e.g. putting up (or leaving) suitable perches for birds of prey. • Tree shelters – are the most effective protection for plantings less than a hectare (2.5 acres). Individual shelters protect against animal damage, mechanical damage such as strimming or herbicide damage. Shelters also make individual trees easier to locate for maintenance and can provide a microclimate for improved establishment. Tall tree shelters should be used only where absolutely necessary as they need to be well attached to strong stakes which can rot off and snap the tree and can cause a tree to become too reliant on the tall shelter and therefore not survive when removed.. • All forms of tree protection need to be checked regularly and maintained.

It is important to establish which animals are likely to damage newly planted trees and the following guidelines can be used to choose the most appropriate tree protection.

See Tree Council – Tree Planting Guidance for more detailed information.

1 voles can be a particular problem where synthetic mulch matting is used to suppress weed growth.

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 13 7 Wood pasture and parkland

Established wood pasture and parkland is important both in terms of the number of ancient and veteran trees they support and the high value habitat they provide which is recognised as a priority habitat in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.

There are two components to consider with proposed planting in this case. Firstly, planting within existing and established wood pasture and parkland landscapes and secondly, establishment of new wood pasture.

Established wood pasture and parkland

Established wood pasture and parkland needs to be managed sensitively and any tree planting carefully considered. The tree density is particularly important and wide occasional spacings between trees to allow for full canopy growth and successful grassland. The key is to provide multi-generational widely spaced trees to ensure the continuity of this important habitat in the future and there may be opportunities to add a few new trees to provide replacements for trees that have been lost. If this is the case, it is important to try to reflect the original parkland landscape where possible. If the parkland is still grazed then special protection may be required in keeping with the parkland setting and the protection required.

New wood pasture and parkland planting

New wood pasture and parkland has value in a number of settings:

• Well wooded landscapes provide a transition between dense plantings and more open landscapes. • Landscapes where densely planted woodlands are less appropriate such as sensitive historic and ecological sites and to protect landscape character. • Added value to agricultural landscapes linked to grazing regimes. • If the area was originally wood pasture or parkland it is good to reflect this in new planting plans. • Woodland settings for developments. • Urban areas such as amenity green space and school grounds. • River valley landscapes where dense woodland is not appropriate.

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 14 Any proposed wood pasture or parkland schemes needs to be designed to produce the effect of ‘scattered trees’ and have visual landscape benefit. Landscape and ecological connectivity with neighbouring woodland and other habitats is an important consideration.

Tree densities suggested are 6 to 25 trees per hectare and the use of larger feathered trees (1.0 – 1.5m bare root transplants) is recommended, protected with a parkland ‘tree crate’ to protect the tree from grazing animals.

8 Orchards and fruiting hedgerow trees

Established orchards can be very rich in terms of biodiversity and management. Sensitive restoration of existing orchards is particularly important in terms of wildlife, historic and cultural value. The grassland in orchards can also be rich in biodiversity and needs sensitive management to maximise its wildlife value.

Creation of new orchards can also be valuable for wildlife and can reinforce landscape character. New orchards should ideally fit in with the surrounding landscape and planting on historic orchard sites is a good option. New © Tamar Valley AONB orchards can be established in most situations, but ideally the need to be located in a sunny, sheltered, south west facing site avoiding frost pockets such as valley bottoms.

Tree Selection

When selecting trees, maidens are generally cheaper and easier to establish than standards. Traditional orchard trees are grown on vigorous rootstocks to support tall trees above the reach of grazing animals. However, a wider range of rootstocks is now available, and consideration needs to be given to the eventual size of the trees required for a given site.

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 15 Apple Rootstocks

M27 Very dwarfing M9 Dwarfing MM106 Semi vigorous MM111 Vigorous M25 Very vigorous, produces largest apple trees

Pears

Quince C Dwarfing Quince A Semi vigorous

Plums and Damsons

Pixy Semi dwarfing Saint Julian A Semi vigorous

Cherry

Gisela 5 or G5 Semi dwarfing Colt Semi vigorous

For more detailed information about rootstocks see the RHS advice on tree rootstocks

There is an enormous range of varieties of fruit trees available, particularly apples and many traditional Cornish varieties. These local varieties are culturally significant to a locality and are well suited to local conditions. Other fruits may have local significance such as Tamar Valley cherry varieties and Kea Plum found around Truro. These add to the local distinctiveness of these areas.

Planting and establishing fruit trees

In an existing orchard, trees should fit in with the existing planting pattern and density. However, it is not advisable to plant new trees directly in the same place as old trees, particularly if they were infected with honey fungus.

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 16 Planting densities depend on the tree species, rootstock and ground conditions. Apples on vigorous rootstock are typically grown 8-10 metres apart. Cherries further apart and plums can be planted more densely.

As for all trees bare rooted plants should be planted when dormant, between November and March, but not when the ground is frosty. The roots of the trees need to be kept cool and moist prior to planting, and planted as soon as possible. Container trees can be planted throughout the year, but will require more watering if planted in summer.

All trees should be watered regularly and thoroughly for the first few weeks and during any dry spells until established.

Guards or other protection are required to prevent damage from grazing livestock and other animals. The guards need to be regularly checked and adjusted if they are causing damage to the tree. A one metre circle should be kept free of grass and weeds, and mulched for at least 3 years. This reduces competition for water and nutrients as the tree establishes. Guards should be maintained for at least 10 years, but mature trees may also need to be protected from livestock.

Pruning is an essential part of orchard management and there are lots of resources online and local apple groups who can provide expertise on pruning techniques.

Fruiting hedgerow trees

It is worth mentioning a Tamar Valley speciality: fruiting hedgerow trees, including cherries, apples, damsons, plums and crab apples. These linear orchards were created around market gardening plots to provide an additional source of produce and became established as a notable local feature and a characteristic of the landscape. It is worth considering this approach to boundary hedging as a foraging asset for people and wildlife as well as being a valuable resource for pollinators. Planting of hedgerows with ‘useful’ trees – for fodder, fuel and fruit was common across many parts of Cornwall.

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 17 9 Hedgerow planting and establishment

As well as providing additional tree canopy cover, a good hedgerow can make a stock proof barrier, provide shelter, enhance the landscape and provide a wildlife corridor. They also play an important role in connectivity of habitats. When planning a hedgerow it is important to have a clear objective in order to make the right choice of species and ensure appropriate aftercare of the new hedgerow. In Cornwall, hedges are traditionally planted on banks, which are a lot more costly to construct than ground level

One of the first considerations is how the hedgerow will fit in with the existing landscape. Priority should be given to planting that complements or fills in the gaps in any current hedgerow network, join up other wooded or scrub habitats or that recreates former historical hedgerow patterns. Consideration should also be given to the historic environment included buried archaeology and infrastructure such as overhead and underground cables.

When considering species composition a good approach is to plant species that already occur in hedgerows locally (except for those affected by tree diseases such as Common Ash). These species are more likely to thrive in the local climate and soil conditions and are more in keeping with the character of the landscape. A species rich mix is generally the best approach in terms of biodiversity, seasonal interest as well as for climate change and disease resilience.

The best way of planting a hedgerow is using bare-root whips between December and the end of March. Follow the general guidelines for bare root planting on page 11. Hedgerows are usually planted in double staggered rows, as these tend to be better for wildlife than single rows as they are wider and provide more shelter and habitat. A good guide is leaving at least 40 cm between each row and planting at a density of 4-6 plants per metre.

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 18 Newly planted hedgerows may be vulnerable to stock grazing or damage by rabbits, hares, deer and voles, so they need protection. Refer to page 12 for guidance on tree guards. Stock fencing is usually also necessary where land is to be grazed by sheep, cattle or horses. If fencing is necessary, erect it so that the hedgerow can grow to a good width. By placing the stock fence carefully subsequent management of the hedgerow will be easier. Weed control is necessary to prevent competition for nutrients, moisture and light, and mulches can be an effective way of controlling weeds.

Hedgerow Trees

Hedgerow trees provide a range of habitats and are an important landscape feature. As a part of the hedgerow, they provide shelter and food for a wide range of species, nesting sites and song posts for birds as well as supporting rich lichen communities. Existing hedgerow trees are particularly valuable and often more resistant to common disease threats, but it is important to establish new trees to provide succession both in terms of habitat and landscape features.

The best time to plant hedgerow trees is at the same time as planting the hedgerow and most native species are suitable to grow on. Once planted use a marker stake and tree tag to prevent the trees being cut along with the rest of the hedgerow. Young trees should be far enough apart to develop full crowns without producing too much shade and to accommodate hedge cutting. Irregular spacing of hedgerow trees helps to give a more natural appearance in the landscape. The Woodland Trust recommends a full tree every 6 metres to allow for connectivity.

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 19 10 Hedgerow management

Woody canopy can be increased in existing hedgerows by the adjustment of the management regime and following top ten tips from Hedgelink can help to achieve this: http://www.hedgelink.org.uk.

1 Keep it thick and dense Close interwoven branches in your hedge provide safe nesting and roosting places for small birds like thrushes, finches, robins, hedge sparrows and wrens. Open hedges tend to attract magpies, crows, pigeons and squirrels. Holly is a very good hedging plant, forming compact dense bushes that give excellent protection during the winter. 2 Cut at the right time Leave trimming your hedge until late winter if you can. Hedgerow berries and other fruit provide vital food for birds like fieldfares, redwings and other thrushes throughout the winter. The earlier you cut, the less food will be available to help these birds and other wildlife survive through the most hostile time of year. And never cut during the bird breeding season (1 March to 31 August) unless you have to, for safety reasons. 3 Don’t cut too often or too tight Although cutting is necessary to keep a hedge thick, if it is cut back to the same point every year it will produce few flowers or berries. So try and cut just once every two or three years or each time let the hedge grow out and up a little. Another alternative is to cut just one side or the top each year. If you have to cut your hedge frequently, then try and leave occasional berry or fruit bearing trees to grow to maturity, one mature hawthorn can produce as many berries as 200 metres of hedge cut every year. 4 Encourage native shrubs Shrubs that occur naturally in Britain provide habitat and food for far more insects and other animals than those introduced from abroad. If you can, include a range of different species to provide food throughout the year, willows and blackthorn for early season nectar, hawthorn, bramble and rose for summer flowers and autumn berries, ivy for autumn nectar and late winter berries. 5 Encourage flowers and grasses at the base and margins Hedges with plenty of vegetation at the base support lots of wildlife. Flowers like primroses and knapweed provide nectar and pollen for bees and other beneficial invertebrates, while tussocky grasses provide safe places for beetles, spiders and the like during the winter. Frogs, toads, newts and lizards like dense growth at the base of hedgerows for food, cover and places to hibernate. The hedgehog likes thick cover too. 6 Look after trees or plant new ones If you have room, big mature trees, especially native ones like oak, ash and beech, will increase the amount of wildlife that uses the hedge tremendously. Insects will congregate around the crown and beneath the canopy, providing rich feeding for

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 20 birds and bats. Small trees, like holly, rowan and crab apple, are also very valuable, especially for their flowers and rich berry and fruit crops. 7 Rejuvenating your hedge Hedges can be kept bushy for many years by cutting them occasionally, but eventually they will become open at the base. If this happens they need to be cut down close to ground level so they can send up a crop of new stems and begin a fresh cycle of healthy growth. (This won’t work for conifers, which do not re-grow when cut to the ground.) 8 When establishing a new hedge, take care to plant suitable species Many hedge problems, including neighbour disputes, happen because fast-growing plants have been used for quick results, producing hedges that rapidly become too high and are difficult to maintain. Think carefully about why you want a hedge and about the site before choosing your shrubs and trees. 9 Link the hedge with other wildlife habitats and fill in gaps Many creatures avoid crossing open spaces because it makes them vulnerable to predators. If your hedge is linked to other hedges, or to a woodland or pond, it will provide safe passage for wildlife to move through both rural and urban landscapes. Bats and dormice are among many creatures that dislike even small gaps. 10 Explore your hedge Do keep a close eye on your hedge and see what lives in it, and what parts of the hedge are most favored by the wildlife you want to attract. You can then tailor your management accordingly. Keep a record of the species you see.

11 Edible hedges

In some situations edible hedges may be a good option. Vigorous plants like blackthorn, plum and hawthorn can be planted towards the back of the hedge and scramblers like vines, blackberries, wild roses and raspberry canes can be grown through these. Soft fruit bushes such as currants and gooseberries can be planted at the front and on the south facing side. Fruit trees such as apples, pears and cherries and nuts such as hazel can also be grown to add to the crop.

In order to maximise fruit production and wildlife value, it is recommended to cut the hedge back on a 2 to 4 year cycle rather than trim every year.

12 Natural regeneration

Under the right conditions natural regeneration can be a good option as part of a mosaic landscape. Marginal land is a good candidate and if the land is close to a natural seed source, such as existing established woodland with a viable seed source, then regeneration will often start to occur naturally. If the area of land is

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 21 further away from existing woodland, it may need some active tree planting to assist the natural regeneration process. Protection will still need to be considered as well as intervention if required to assure woodland establishment, or the type of woodland wanted – depending on owner objectives and the circumstances at the site.

Allowing trees to grow from the natural seed bank in the ground can encourage trees that are native to the local area (although think about what seeding trees are © Tamar Valley AONB around as they may not all be native if that is your objective). This can help to promote resilient woodland in the future, particularly if the woodland is diverse in terms of its species mix.

13 Agroforestry

Agroforestry is a land management approach that combines agriculture with trees creating a symbiotic relationship where the tree roots reach deep below other crops or grassland. The trees also cycle nutrients and bind the soil together preventing loss to erosion by wind and/or rain.

There are two main types of agroforestry:

1. Silvo-arable agroforestry where crops are grown beneath the trees often planted in rows to allow access for agricultural machinery. 2. Silvo-pastoral agroforestry where animals are grazed under the trees. The trees provide shelter and fodder for the livestock, which in turn enrich the soil.

As well as a positive potential impacts on the soil, the environment and wildlife, agroforestry can also boost productivity through three-dimensional farming and

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 22 can protect food production from the effects of climate change e.g. through shading for stock

Other benefits in addition to protecting the soil, are improvements in soil health through leaf litter, and biodiversity benefits for example through increased structural diversity. The trees play a valuable role sequestering carbon and help with water management by protecting water quality and helping slow down flow by improving infiltration of water into the soil.

More information about agroforestry can be found at - Woodland Trust agroforestry information

14 Urban trees

The first step when planning to plant a tree in an urban area is the tree planting location and the space allocation in the built environment. Choosing a planting site in an urban area has to be well considered. It is essential that the tree doesn’t compete with utility services underground or overhead, interfere with highway sightlines, increase the risk of street flooding, damage pavements or nearby property or conflict with any heritage

considerations. © Cornwall Council – Volunteers planting trees in Callington as part of the Trees for Cornish Towns project - February 2020

Modified soil structure in urban areas together with soil permeability and compaction can also be significant considerations along with urban microclimates. These constraints are generally applicable to existing locations within urban areas.

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 23 Many factors must be considered if a tree is to establish, be healthy and grow to its full potential. These ‘selection criteria’ consider the tolerances and qualities that will help ensure you choose the right tree for the right place for the right purposes in an urban setting.

The Selection Criteria can be grouped under four headings:

• Tree suitability: for example site category and nature of the soil, tree characteristics, growth requirements and constraints; • Environmental benefits: such as amenity values, shading and supporting wildlife; • Unintended problems: of some species including high pollen production, proliferation of fruit, raised roots or reduction in air quality; • Climate change resilience: for example tolerance to drought, frost hardiness, temporary water logging, response to elevated air temperatures, poor air quality and shortened winter dormancy, and pests and diseases.

It is important to determine how well the tree fits into the chosen environment and helps to ensure a trouble free life for the tree and its neighbours and consultation with the local Cornwall Council Tree Officer is essential if urban trees are planted on public land.

Further information can be found at: https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/t ools-and-resources/urban-tree- manual/

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 24 15 Aftercare and ongoing maintenance Planting trees is only the first step in a much longer process if you want them to establish well and thrive. Aftercare is important, particularly in the first few years.

Year 1- • Ensure everyone involved in looking after the trees and the place 3 they are planted so that all are aware of where your young trees are. This will help to avoid damage caused by activities such as mowing. • Weeding is critical to giving trees a head start by reducing competition for moisture and nutrients. Mulching helps to reduce the need to do this but will need to be topped up annually. • Trees should adapt to natural conditions as long as they are planted at the right time of the year. Watering encourages roots to grow towards the surface rather than downwards towards groundwater. If you need to water after a long dry spell, give the trees a one good long water making sure the ground is well saturated rather than lots of short waterings. • If you are mowing close to the tree, take care not to damage the trees and guards. Take particular care when strimming to avoid causing damage. • Regularly check tree guards particularly after strong winds. Any grass growing inside the tree guard should be removed. Keep the guards firmly pressed into the soil to prevent damage by pests. Year 3- • Remove tree guards as soon as they split and before they 10 disintegrate after around 5-10 years. If you leave them in place, they may cause damage and hamper further growth. Please dispose of the plastic guards responsibly or source alternative more sustainable tree guards. Research is ongoing to develop effective plastic-free alternatives. • If you planted woodland with the plan to coppice the trees, the first cut can take place after 7-10 years depending on species and growth. • It is also important to monitor tree health on a regular basis. There are online resources available to help you to do this. However, new tree diseases are appearing with time so it’s good to keep up to date with the latest information. Year • Your woodland should be starting to establish by Year 10. This is the 10+ point when your long-term management plan can be used to guide you and there are plenty of online resources available to help you do this.

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 25 16 Large scale tree planting

If you are thinking of planting at a larger scale then you should seek professional advice. You can find resources about larger scale tree planting on the Forestry Commission website www.gov.uk/government/organisations/forestry- commission and find members of the Institute of Chartered Foresters at www.charteredforestors.org/what-we-do/find-a-consultant

The Woodland Trust offer free advice and can support you with subsidised tree supplies. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/large-scale-planting/

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 26 17 Resources

Cornwall Council Cornish Orchard Guidance: https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/parks-and-open- spaces/space-for-nature/making-space-for-nature/orchard-guidance/

Cornwall Council Design Guide Part Three: https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/3626680/CDG-Sections-4-5-6.pdf

Cornwall Council Forest for Cornwall: https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/grow- nature/about/forest-for-cornwall-programme/

Cornwall Council Planning for Biodiversity Guide: https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/38341273/biodiversity-guide.pdf

Forestry Commission – General resources:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/forestry-commission

Forestry Commission – Tree protection - The use of tree shelters and guards:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/at tachment_data/file/896121/Tree_shelters_guide.pdf

Forestry Commission - Urban Tree Manual:

https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/fthr/urban-tree-manual/

Hedgelink - General Hedgerow Management Advice: http://www.hedgelink.org.uk

Natural England Hedgerows: http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/file/4990678488580096

Natural England Orchard Creation: http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/19007

Natural England Wood Pasture and Parkland: http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/file/5037343744458752

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 27 Tree Council – Tree Planting Guide: https://treecouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Tree-planting-guide.pdf

Woodland Trust – Free trees for schools and communities: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/schools-and-communities/

Woodland Trust – How to plant a tree: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/advice/how-to-plant/

The Sylva Foundation: myForest is a useful FREE resource for woodland managers who already have established woodland, or who are looking to create new areas: https://www.sylva.org.uk/suite-myforest

Forest for Cornwall – Woodland/Tree Canopy Planting Guidance 28