Saredon (Hill) Quarry:

Discharge of Condition 47 (Tree and Hedgerow Planting and Protection) on Planning Permission SS.12/15/602 MW

Revised and expanded, May 2016

Introduction

The proposals fall into five main areas, as follows:

1. Works to existing tree belts to the north of the haul road (groups G1 to G3, as shown on Wardell Armstrong drawing ST12713-036 Rev. A, April 2014, appended to Arboricultural Assessment) – including protection measures for trees to be retained and understorey planting; 2. Planting of a new hedgerow (incorporating two oak trees) on the western boundary to the materials storage area (south-west of the haul road tree belts); 3. Planting of four more oak trees on the eastern boundary of the quarry site, south of the main entrance; 4. Planting of a new hedgerow on the south and west sides of the south-west corner of the active quarry area, with the creation of 2.5-metre high earth bunds behind the hedge lines (seeded with grass); 5. Planting of a new hedgerow on the outer side of the existing grassed bund on the southern boundary of the eastern portion of the quarry site, as shown on Wardell Armstrong Mitigation Strategy drawing, ST12713-035.

The operations likewise fall into six categories:

1. Selective tree felling and cutting back in Area 1; 2. Understorey shrub planting in Area 1; 3. Hedgerow planting in Areas 2, 4 & 5; 4. Tree planting in Areas 2, 3, 4 & 5; 5. Tree/hedgerow protection (barriers) in all areas; 6. Maintenance and aftercare; replacement of dead stock (all areas)

These are dealt with in turn below.

1.0 Tree Felling and Cutback in Area 1

1.1 The specification for these works has already been provided in the Wardell Armstrong document entitled Arboricultural Survey and Landscape Recommendations (April 2014). Paragraphs 2.3.1-2 discuss the tree types and split them into three groups, identified as ‘G1’, ‘G2’ and ‘G3’ on drawing ST12713-036 (Revision A). G1 and G2 are sycamores on the southern side of the tree belt, nearest to the haul road. The G1 trees have had their root protection areas (RPAs) severed by the construction of the haul road about one metre below the ground level, whilst the G2 group have had

1 part of the same road constructed over their RPAs. The northern side of the tree belt consists of a line of beech trees, which have suffered less root disturbance.

1.2 Out of a total of around 170 trees, the Wardell Armstrong document recommends felling some 30 trees marked with an ‘X’ on site, which are dead, dying, in poor condition or preventing neighbouring trees of higher quality from flourishing. Another 40 trees, marked with a ‘C’, are to be cut back to around 2 metres in height to promote vigorous reaction growth and so thicken up and strengthen the visual barrier (2.3.3), as well as allowing the beech trees to the north to produce more growth southwards (2.3.5). The report acknowledges that the trees are generally of low quality, having been planted at too high a density. They suffer from ‘etiolation’; that is, they have grown with tall, narrow trunks and few branches or leaves below the crown level, due to being planted too close together and having to compete against each other to reach the light. Some of the trees have also been affected by ‘windthrow’; that is, they have been uprooted or broken by the wind.

1.3 Further details of the tree classifications are provided in Appendix 1 to the Arboricultural Survey. Some of the damaged or dead trees may already have been removed in the intervening period. The red ‘X’ and ‘C’ markings are, in any case, no longer visible. The majority of the proposed work does not appear to have been carried out and the original survey was stated to be valid only until April 2016 (2.3.7). The County Council’s Landscape Officer has therefore requested an updated Arboricultural Survey, which will be commissioned and submitted as soon as possible. The basic principle of cutting back selected existing trees to two metres in height and then re-coppicing them every five years (to maintain a dense visual barrier) is to be incorporated within the new Survey recommendations.

1.4 The felling of dead, dying or diseased trees must be carried out by a qualified tree surgeon, outside of the bird breeding season (March to August). Checks for bat roosting must also be carried out by a licensed ecologist. Felled trees are to be cut into logs and piled up within the tree belt to act as habitat for invertebrates and other wildlife (2.3.4).

2.0 Understorey shrub planting in Area 1

2.1 Despite acknowledging the harm caused by overplanting and etiolation, the Survey goes on to recommend more tree and shrub planting within belts G1/2 and G3, using additional species to create more diversity and greater wildlife and visual amenity value. We do not feel that additional planting of competitive, larger tree species is advisable at this stage, as it would be better to allow the healthier beech trees room to expand and flourish. We do, however, see some value in establishing an understorey of suitable shrubs and smaller trees. Nevertheless, the County Council’s Landscape Officer has requested that, where dead, dying or damaged trees are felled and the canopy opened up, ultimately larger species should be preferred as replacements. In this revised scheme, a 10% quantity of English oak has therefore been introduced and the proposed rowan percentage reduced accordingly.

2.2 The rationale behind this is that the new oak saplings should be allowed to grow ultimately into high canopy trees, rather than being included among the trees to be coppiced. The best, mature trees are to be retained to provide a well-furnished canopy, which will be allowed to continue developing in the longer term. In-between those trees, existing trees that are still healthy and viable are to be coppiced to provide infill/screening value (both vertically and horizontally) between the higher quality, mature, taller specimens. This should result in a tree belt that is both an effective vegetative screen and also has visual quality as a feature within the landscape. New planting is to be located where dead or dying trees have had to be removed. These principles are to be reflected in the report recommendations following the updated Arboricultural Survey.

2 2.3 Looking at table ‘C’ at the top of drawing ST12713-037 Rev. A, therefore, we propose omission of the beech, Irish oak, silver birch and hornbeam trees and retention of the species suited to an understorey layer, with their percentage in the mix increased accordingly:

• Common hazel (Corylus avellana) – 25% of mix • Common hawthorn () – 15% • Field maple (Acer campestre) – 15% • Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) – 15% • English or pedunculate oak () – 10% • Wild cherry (Prunus avium) – 10% • Common holly (Ilex aquifolium) – 10%

2.4 The benefits of these species to wildlife are discussed below:

• Field maple is the UK’s only native maple species; though it can grow into a tree, it is more commonly seen as a hedgerow shrub, because it responds well to being cut back and trimmed, growing back vigorously with numerous new shoots. The honeydew produced by the leaves is a good source of food for white hairstreak butterflies and the leaves also support the caterpillars of several moth species. The environment of this shrub is attractive to orchids and therefore also to their predators (e.g. ladybird, hoverfly, birds); the flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and birds and the fruit is eaten by small mammals. • Rowan – its leaves are eaten by caterpillars of a number of moths, including the larger Welsh wave and autumn green carpet. Caterpillars of the apple fruit moth feed on the berries. The flowers provide pollen and nectar for bees and other pollinating , while the berries are a rich source of autumn food for birds, especially the blackbird, mistle thrush, redstart, redwing, song thrush, fieldfare and waxwing. • Holly provides dense cover and good nesting opportunities for birds, while its deep, dry leaf litter may be used by hedgehogs and small mammals for hibernation. The flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinating insects. The leaves are eaten by caterpillars of the holly blue butterfly, along with those of various moths, including the yellow barred brindle, double-striped pug and the holly tortrix. The smooth leaves found at the tops of holly trees are a winter source of food for deer. The berries are a vital source of food for birds in winter, and are also eaten by small mammals such as wood mice and dormice. • Wild cherry – Its spring flowers provide an early source of nectar and pollen for bees, while the cherries are eaten by birds, including the blackbird and song thrush, as well as mammals such as the badger, wood mouse, yellow necked mouse and dormouse. The foliage is the main food plant for caterpillars of many species of moth, including the cherry fruit and cherry bark moths, the orchard ermine, brimstone and short cloaked moth. • Hazel is also a common hedging plant. As well as supporting five species of moth that are specialist feeders on hazel, this plant is extremely important to many invertebrates, birds and mammals because of the protein-rich nuts it produces during the autumn. • Hawthorn: a very common shrub, extensively used for hedging and also stock fencing, as its spiky structure discourages browsing by horses or other . Small mammals, birds, insects and other invertebrates nest, roost and/or hibernate here, e.g. wood mouse, wren, robin, blackbird, song thrush, brimstone and peacock butterflies, lacewing, ladybird, slow worm, common toad, etc. In the autumn, hawthorn plants produce shiny red ‘haws’; blackbirds and other thrushes (including redwings and fieldfares), greenfinches, yellowhammers, chaffinches, starlings and many other birds relish these berries. Hawthorn also supports many species, e.g. hawthorn shield bug, earwig, common flower bug, bumblebees, cockchafers, etc. The above are in turn eaten by predators, such as Devil's coach horse, violet ground beetle, harvestman, garden spider, wren, blue tit, etc. (Main source: Woodland Trust)

3 • Oak trees support more life forms than any other native British tree. They act as host to hundreds of insect species, which in turn supplies many British birds with an important food source. In autumn, mammals such as badgers and deer take advantage of the falling acorns, most of which will never have the chance to germinate. They are a rich food source for jays, mice, voles, rabbits, foxes and squirrels. The flower and leaf buds of English oaks are the chosen food plant of purple hairstreak butterfly caterpillars. The soft leaves break down easily in autumn, forming a rich leaf mould beneath the tree that supports invertebrates (e.g. stag beetle) and numerous fungi. Any holes or crevices that develop in the bark of mature trees make perfect nesting spots for pied flycatchers and marsh tits. Several British bat species also sometimes roost in old woodpecker holes or under loose bark, as well as feeding on the rich supply of insects in the tree’s canopy.

3.0 Hedgerow Planting Specification

Timing

3.1 Hedge planting normally takes place between October and March, because this is the season when the ground is moist and the hedging plants are dormant. Do not, however, plant whilst the ground is frozen or waterlogged, or in periods of persistent strong or cold winds.

Ground Preparation

3.2 The amount of preparation required depends on the site characteristics, but the aim should be to ensure that the ground is properly broken up and cleared of any existing vegetation that might compete with the new plants. To prepare the ground where the hedges will be laid, cut and rake away any grass or other herbage from a 1.4 m wide strip to either side of the hedge base. An appropriate herbicide can then be used to kill all remaining rooted grass and herbs. After this has taken effect, the cleared area should be cultivated to a coarse tilth, about 600 mm wide and 250 mm deep. To improve the structure of the soil, it is beneficial to incorporate generous quantities of compost at the base of the hedge to a minimum depth of about 100 mm; this could be well-rotted garden compost or farmyard manure, or composted tree bark or woodchip. These will constitute a sort of organic mulch which, if spread early in the growing season, will help to kill off weeds during the summer months.

Species Mix, Quantities and Spacing

3.3 Hedge planting is to consist of 6 to 7 plants per linear metre; two staggered rows of planting 300 to 450mm apart and plants at 300mm centres. In view of the specific need for screening to be delivered as rapidly as possible this spacing is essential in this case. The plants are to be 45-60 cm in height. Although the Landscape Officer has recommended 60-90 cm plants, to achieve speedier growth, after careful consideration I have concluded that this is inadvisable. This is because nearly all examples of hedgerow planting guidance I have studied from Internet sources recommend 45-60 cm stock as the best choice. The guidance produced by Bath and North East Somerset Council includes the following comment:

“Resist the temptation to plant larger stock because you want an instant impact. This is because smaller plants are more likely than larger plants to tolerate stress when transplanted and so more readily establish and take on a faster growth rate.”

An article from the Pitchcare Magazine website adds:

“If you wish to create a hedge which is really dense and bushy from the ground upwards, it is advisable to plant young, small plants. Within two to three years you will have a good hedge…”

4 3.4 For similar reasons of rapid delivery, it is also appropriate to include Holly (Ilex aquifolium), which is evergreen, in the new hedge, at 15%, to enhance the screening effect. This species should be planted as container grown specimens (either 2 or 3 litre pots).

3.5 The proposed species mix for Areas 2 and 4 is therefore as follows:

• Hawthorn 50% • Field maple 20% • Hazel 10% • Holly 15% • Sloe (Blackthorn) 5%.

3.6 The proposed species mix for the Area 5 hedgerow (southern site boundary, eastern sector of quarry) is that originally proposed by Wardell Armstrong and included both on its drawing ST12713- 019 (Revision D) and in the Environmental Statement at paragraphs 5.5.11-12. This is as follows:

• Hawthorn 50% • Hazel 30% • Blackthorn 10% • Dogwood 5% • Holly 5%

These are all to be planted at a density of five plants per square metre and within a height range of 45-60 cm, as bare root stock. The holly plants are to be supplied in 9 cm pots. For the scattered trees to be included within all the abovementioned hedgerows, see Section 4 below (paragraphs 4.1-.3).

3.7 The benefits to wildlife of hawthorn, field maple, hazel and holly have been discussed in paragraph 2.3 above. The benefits of blackthorn and dogwood are considered below:

• Blackthorn or sloe (Prunus spinosa) is a similar thorny shrub, notable because its flowers open before its leaves, forming a white mass in the otherwise dead-looking hedge in the early spring, before anything else flowers. The bitter black sloes which emerge later in the year are popular with birds. Unlike hawthorn, blackthorn produces suckers that allow it to spread out from the hedge line, making it an important habitat for dormice and brown hairstreak butterflies, amongst others. • Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) supports 17 species of lepidoptera: its leaves are eaten by the caterpillars of some moths (e.g. case-bearer moth) and it is a larval food plant for the green hairstreak butterfly. The flowers are visited by insects (which are attracted by the unpleasant smell) and the berry clusters are eaten by many mammals and birds such as robins and mistle thrushes.

3.8 Plant the shrubs in trenches large enough to take the full spread of their roots. The hedge plants should be cut to approximately 150mm after planting. Pruning during the first two years of growth will encourage the hedge to become dense and bushy.

NOTE: The hedging plants in Areas 2 and 4 have already been installed (early April 2016). The landscape contractor employed was instructed to use the species specified in the earlier edition of this specification and in the Wardell Armstrong documents. This report assumes that the specified species have been used in the actual planting scheme. If the oak and alder trees have not already been included in the Area 4 planting, these should be carefully introduced at the first suitable opportunity, taking care not to cause undue disruption to the existing hedging plants.

5 Support and Protection

3.9 Young trees and hedgerow shrubs are particularly vulnerable to pest damage in their early years, including from rabbits. Protection is essential. It is good practice to protect the hedge from all types of human and activity for two to three years, or until the hedge is established. This is to be achieved by placing heavy duty canes, ‘grow tubes’ or mesh guards (whichever is most appropriate) around each tree or hedging plant to support and protect them from animals eating leaves, bark, etc. [This has already been done for the planting in Areas 2 and 4.] The previous Wardell Armstrong recommendation was to use 450mm brown spiral rabbit guards (preferably biodegradable types), with 600mm ‘Netlon’ mesh guards for the holly plants (as holly is toxic to rabbits, so higher grade protection is required) – all of which should be removed once the plants have become well established.

3.10 If plants have individual rabbit guards, monitoring/maintenance will be needed to ensure that plants do not collapse under the rabbit protection. Spiral rabbit guards are usually only good for short periods, as they can prevent proper air circulation, allow mould infection and produce rather spindly plants. They are also unsightly and can be difficult to remove later without damaging the plants. For longer term protection (if needed), chicken wire mesh about 600 mm high, fixed to stakes at 8 to 10 metre intervals and fixed at top and bottom with high tensile wire, may prove more economical and will allow for healthier growth. To be effective against rabbits, the bottom 250 mm must be laid out in the direction of attack and securely pegged to the ground so that the rabbits cannot easily get underneath.

Weed Control

3.11 This is important to increase the success rate of the hedging plants, especially if the ground preparation was not thorough before planting. Leaving grasses and weeds to compete with the new plants for moisture will dramatically reduce their survival rate. The aim should be to maintain a weed-free strip at least 50 cm wide to either side of the hedge line for the first three to five years of growth, or for as long as is necessary to see the plants successfully established. For further details, see the ongoing/long-term maintenance guidance at paragraphs 6.2-.4 below.

Watering/Irrigation

3.12 Natural England advises that regular watering of hedging plants is usually impractical, unless the owner can afford to invest in an expensive perforated trickle hose. The need for watering will be significantly reduced if weeds are kept under proper control. The use of mulches also helps the soil to retain moisture. Other sources consulted did not make any reference to an ongoing watering regime being necessary beyond the initial planting stage. Regular watering is therefore recommended only for the first year of establishment. This should be done every other day for the first four months and then once a week for the next six to eight months. In the second year, the hedge should be well watered during dry spells; and thereafter only during periods of drought or prolonged dry and hot weather.

3.13 Unfortunately, there is no easy way to specify how much water a hedge will need during its initial establishment phase, as it will vary from hedge to hedge. Under-watering will cause the leaves to burn, and if not rectified quickly enough, the plants will die. Just one incidence of neglect can cause extensive damage to the whole hedge line. On the other hand, over-watering can have detrimental effects that are just as serious. This can cause the leaves to droop and the plants to decay from fungal or bacterial rots. It is therefore advisable to treat the hedge as a series of large pot plants for its first year. Do not assume that it can find enough water for itself, as rainfall will not provide enough water to sustain the plants’ needs.

3.14 In a hot, dry summer, if there is little cloud cover and no rain, the new plants will need to be watered: 6 • every 2 days if the soil is very dry and/or sandy; • every 4 days if the soil is still holding water; • every 6 days if the soil is holding water and is also in the shade. Allow the soil to dry out a little before watering it again, so that the roots of the hedging plants are not waterlogged (for most establishing plants, this is as harmful as being completely dry).

3.15 To check the soil moisture content, probe to a depth of approximately 5 centimetres; if the soil is dry and dusty at that depth, watering will be required. If the soil is damp, do not water the plants. The fledgling plants will need water most during the daytime, so the early morning, before the sun warms up the soil, is the best time to undertake watering.

Long-term Maintenance

3.16 Trimming is an essential part of longer term hedgerow maintenance. In most cases, an annual trim outside of the bird nesting season (that is, between November and February) will be sufficient to encourage dense, twiggy growth and form a solid hedge. Where berries are present, it may be best to limit trimming to January or February, as the berry crop may be used by wintering birds during November and December. To maximise benefits to wildlife, however, hedges in rural areas can be trimmed less frequently, say every two to three years. Growth should not be left untrimmed for longer than three years; otherwise, the woody growth will become too thick to allow clean trimming. Holly plants should not be cut back at all during the first two years of growth. Other plants should be trimmed back by approximately one third in their second year (to encourage bushy growth) and reviewed for further trimming in the fifth year.

3.17 Although trimming will keep hedgerows in good condition for a number of years, in the longer term occasional restoration work may be needed to prevent gaps from developing or the hedgerow slowly reverting to a line of individual trees. This restoration should be carried out during the winter months and one of two methods should be employed, depending on the applicable circumstances. If skilled labour is obtainable, and in order to reduce negative impacts on wildlife, laying is the preferable method. This involves cutting the stems part way through and interweaving them along the hedge line lengthwise. If, however, the hedge has become too overgrown to be laid (because the stems are too thick), the best method of restoration may be coppicing (cutting the stems at ground level). This will, of course, drastically reduce the benefit to wildlife until the growth has re- established itself.

3.18 Hedgelink UK warns that management “cannot stop a hedgerow changing through time or hold it at any given stage in its development indefinitely” and that any attempt to do so is not only doomed to failure but will also “cause the hedgerow to decline in physical condition and wildlife value”. Successful management therefore requires an understanding of how natural growth and ageing patterns can be controlled without subjecting a hedgerow to damaging stresses. Carefully influencing the natural growth of the hedge will lengthen the time gap between expensive laying or coppicing events. Over-management (cutting continually at the same height) will encourage gaps to appear and the stems to become gnarled and twisted; too little intervention will cause hedge plants to grow so tall that they may become liable to collapse, whilst the shrub layer is also lost.

3.19 For a newly planted hedge, therefore, the correct approach is to trim lightly for the first few years, and thereafter cut on a two (minimum) or (preferably) three or more year rotation, allowing the height to increase a little each time. The second and third year’s growth is necessary for the shrubs to flower and fruit. Once the hedge has become healthy and dense in growth, the cutting height may need to be raised above any hard ‘knuckle’ formed at the former trim line. Once a hedge has reached the stage where its stems are over four metres high, laying or coppicing will be necessary.

7 Treatment of Area 2 (between Hedge and Concrete Wall on West Side of Storage Compound)

3.20 The County Council’s Principal Landscape Officer has confirmed that natural colonisation of the area between the hedge and the concrete wall is appropriate in principle, but points out that there will need to be periodic monitoring and weed control to avoid colonisation of undesirable species. There is a greater risk of unwanted plants becoming established on high nutrient soils. For this reason, it is advisable to sow with a low maintenance grass seed/wildflower mix that is appropriate to local ecology.

3.21 In order to select a suitable mix, a number of proprietary wildflower and grass seed mixes suitable to shady conditions near hedgerows or woodland margins have been analysed and compared against Wardell Armstrong’s restoration seed mix proposals and the 2010 revision of A Checklist of the Flora of Staffordshire (Ian Hopkins/J. E. Hawksford). The woodland margin factor takes into account the plans in the Restoration Plan to convert the current materials storage compound area into broadleaved woodland (Wardell Armstrong drawing ST12713-019 Revision D). Priority has been given to species that re-occur frequently in the various suppliers’ lists consulted and are also labelled as ‘Very Common’ or ‘Common’ in the county Checklist.

3.22 The recommended mix should therefore include a good proportion of the following ‘very common’ species suitable for shady conditions:

• Red Campion • Crested Dog’s-tail [grass] • Self-heal • Yarrow • Common Bent Grass • Meadow Buttercup • Ribwort Plantain • Common Sorrel • Sweet Vernal Grass • Wild Foxglove • Garlic Mustard (Wild or Hedge Garlic) • Common Knapweed • Common Dandelion • Hedge Woundwort • Herb Bennet (Wood Avens) • Bush Vetch • Tufted Vetch • Tufted Hair Grass

It could also include some of the following ‘common’ species:

• Yellow Oat-grass • Common Vetch • Ox-eye Daisy • Ragged Robin • Sheep’s Fescue [grass] • Upright Hedge Parsley • Wild Angelica • White Campion • Common Mallow • Teasel • Rough Chervil • Perforate St John’s-wort 8 3.23 Of the four grass species specified for woodland margin planting in the Wardell Armstrong restoration plan, the majority species does not appear on the county list (Strong creeping red fescue) and one of the others is classified there as ‘very rare’ in Staffordshire (Chewing’s fescue). After a comparison of eight commercially available wildflower/grass mixes suitable for use near hedgerows or in shady conditions, either of the following two is recommended for use, as containing the highest proportion of species included in the lists at paragraph 3.22 above:

• Meadowmania Native Wildflower Meadow Seed Mix: Partial Shade/Hedgerows MAS- WMEAD11 (including 11 very common and 8 common = 19 total species from the list) • Emorsgate Seeds EH1 Hedgerow Mixture (semi-shade/newly planted hedges) (14 VC, 3 C = 17 total)

3.24 Notwithstanding the proposal to plant the screening hedge for the materials storage compound and its concrete enclosing wall, the compound is only likely to be seen from limited viewpoints outside the site. The reasons for this are that the wall itself is to be painted a suitable shade of dark green on its outer side, to help it blend with the similarly painted maintenance building and the dense backdrop of trees when viewed from the west. A couple of fields to the immediate north-west of the compound and the proposed new hedge are now already used to grow ‘Asian elephant grass’ (Miscanthus giganteus), a fast-growing and high yielding biomass/ energy crop grown to create biofuels. It is harvested twice a year and does not need replanting. It grows over three metres tall, so effectively hides the compound in views from the north-west for much of the year. The grass is environmentally friendly and helps to increase wildlife biodiversity (particularly because it provides good cover for small mammals and even deer). It needs no pesticides or fertilisers once it has become established.

4.0 Tree Planting in Areas 2, 3, 4 & 5

Tree Species, Quantities, Sizes and Spacing

4.1 The hedgerow trees within Area 2 are included to replace those lost during the removal of the old hedge, therefore 2 No. Quercus robur (English or pedunculate oak) saplings are to be planted in the hedge, which should be planted as standards (10-12cm girth). Although the Council normally requires three trees to be planted for each tree removed, in this case it is felt that to include six trees within such a short length of hedge would ultimately be detrimental to the hedge itself and inhibit the free growth of the trees. Most fully grown oak trees attain to around 20 metres in height and often their outwards spread may be similar. Most of the existing hedges in the adjoining fields are fairly sparse and contain only a few trees in each hedge. Hedgerow trees must be spaced at least 30 metres apart to prevent them overshadowing the hedge and impeding its healthy growth.

4.2 The remaining four Quercus robur trees required as compensatory planting are instead to be planted in Area 3, which is along the Great Saredon Road on the eastern boundary of the quarry site, south of the main entrance and the road bridge over the M6 motorway. This modification was agreed by the County Council’s Principal Landscape Officer in an email dated 30 June 2014. The planting of these trees remains outstanding at the time of writing; they must therefore be planted during the next available planting season.

4.3 For areas 4 and 5 (the new hedges on the southern boundaries of the quarry), the trees to be included are to be the species suggested by Wardell Armstrong; that is, sessile (Irish) and pedunculate (English) oaks and alder (/robur and Alnus glutinosa). This selection is justified from the findings of the hedgerow survey, as described at 10.7.22 in the Environmental Statement (page 98), which found that hedgerows along the western and southern boundaries of the quarry site were relatively species-rich and had been traditionally managed (laying and coppicing). Part of the existing southern boundary hedgerow (T8) had five woody species within a 30-metre

9 stretch, including English oak and alder. Substantial individual oak and alder trees were also found elsewhere along the southern boundary (TN13).

4.4 The sapling trees are to be 10 to 12 centimetres in girth and 3 metres high. English oak is to be predominant (80% of the mix), with Irish oak and alder both contributing 10% of the total. They are to be planted at irregular distances within the hedgerows (5.5.13), but at least 30 metres apart.

Wildlife Benefits

4.5 Oak: See the final bullet point under section 2.3 above. Alder: This tree is important to wildlife all through the seasons and the seeds are a useful winter food for birds. Deer, sheep, hares and rabbits all use the tree for food and it is often used to provide shelter for livestock during the winter. Alder is also the food plant for the larvae and caterpillars of several varieties of butterflies and moths, including the alder kitten, pebble hook-tip, autumnal and blue bordered carpet moths. It is associated with over 140 species of plant-eating insect. The tree can play host to a variety of mosses or lichens, although this is more prevalent amongst streamside trees. The catkins provide an early source of nectar and pollen for bees and the seeds are eaten by birds such as the siskin, redpoll and goldfinch. The leaves provide food for invertebrates, such as the larvae of caddis flies, stoneflies and water beetles. These, in their turn, are preyed upon by fish, including salmon and brown trout.

Ground Preparation

4.6 Topsoil should be a minimum 1000 mm deep. Heavy compaction is to be avoided, to reduce root growth restriction and adhere to BS 3882: 2007 (topsoil). Consolidated soils reduce the quantity of water and oxygen in the soil, and tree roots need good gaseous exchange to succeed and thrive. A build up of carbon dioxide in the soil can also cause root death. The area to be planted should therefore be rotavated to a minimum depth of 600 mm prior to planting. Improve the soil quality if necessary.

Root Treatment

4.7 The roots of all bareroot stock should be treated with Mycorrhizae Whip Dip (naturally occurring, soil-born, symbiotic fungus) or similar product (powder, granules or spikes), to the manufacturer’s instructions. This can also be spread around the newly dug hole. The fungus will help the saplings to acquire adequate water and nutrients from the soil, which again will enhance growth and reduce the risk of failure.

Tree Pits

4.8 Planting is a manual task that involves creating a suitable hole or trench in the ground, into which the plants will be put. The trenches must be large enough to take the full spread of the roots. For standard trees, pits shall be excavated to 600mm x 600mm x 600mm minimum. Tree pit sizes should be increased where necessary to ensure pits are at least 300mm wider and 75mm deeper than the tree root system when fully spread.

4.9 Fork over the bottom of tree pits to a depth of 150mm and other tree pits to a depth of 225mm and leave slightly domed to assist drainage. Roughen any smooth sides to pits. Topsoil excavated from planting pits is to be mixed with compost and used for backfilling. Any subsoil excavated is to be removed from site to an approved tip.

Planting

4.10 Trees must be planted to a depth appropriate to the size of the plant stock, which should be to the same depth at which they had previously been grown in the nursery. Planting a little higher will have minimal negative effects and may help to compensate for subsequent soil settlement, but

10 planting too deep will have long-term negative effects on a tree’s health. The planting hole must be excavated by hand and is to be twice the diameter of the rootball. It should have square sides, as circular holes may encourage roots to grow in a circle and possibly strangulate the tree eventually. The sides of the hole are to be roughened with the spade; and the backfilling after the tree has been inserted must re-use the original displaced soil material. Where trees are being incorporated within a hedge line, they can be planted along with the hedge plants, but tree shelters must be used to allow their identification during trimming and cutting.

Backfill and Mulching

4.11 The backfill shall be a mixture of topsoil excavated from the pit, mixed with tree planting compost. Including a small amount of composted material will, in most cases, improve the growth rate and improve water retention in the soil during the dryer months. This may not be appropriate in all cases, so check with the supplier first. Too much compost or organic matter can slump and so reduce the planting depth. If an alternative is found to be necessary, wood chip mulch may be applied around the tree bases, to a depth of at least 75 mm This will also help to conserve water closer to the soil surface and discourage the growth of weeds.

4.12 The backfill mixture is to be lightly firmed in by treading. Sufficient topsoil/compost mixture must be returned to the pit to raise the surface level to a minimum of 50 mm and a maximum of 70 mm above the adjacent surface level.

Irrigation

4.13 It is important that all the trees are well ‘heeled in’ after planting and watered in during spells of dry weather. After completion of the initial planting, all plants must be irrigated with at least 20 litres of water, which will help to close up air pockets in the backfill material and make a better contact between the roots and the soil, allowing new root hairs to grow and absorb soil moisture. To this end, it is recommended that an irrigation/aeration system should be installed, comprising a perforated pipe (typically of 60 mm diameter) around the rootball, 100 mm below the surface. This can be fitted with a cap to stop it becoming clogged with debris.

Stakes

4.14 Staking will be desirable to secure the tree, prevent leaning and reduce the risk of losses within the first few years of establishment. Standard and feathered trees should normally be supplied with one tree stake each. A single stake will usually suffice for bare-rooted trees, but any with rootballs may need two. It may also prove necessary to angle the stakes in order to avoid penetrating and damaging the rootball, but the stakes must nevertheless be placed as close to the edge of the rootball as possible.

4.15 The stakes should generally not be more than one metre high. The overall length of the stake shall be sufficient to ensure that they are firm when driven into the soil and that the top of the stake extends above ground level to approximately one third of the tree's height. Stakes are to be hammered into the ground before the tree is positioned in the pit. Stakes shall be whole sections of softwood timber 50 mm. to 75 mm. top diameter, peeled and pressure treated in accordance with BS 4072.

4.16 Attach the trees to the stakes using adjustable, flexible ties (generally one tie per tree, with spacer), at a point no more than one third of the way up the tree stem. Ensure that the tree and stake do not touch in any place. All stakes, trees and shrubs shall thereafter be maintained in firm, upright positions within the ground, ensuring that all ties are and remain securely fixed. The tree ties must be adjusted periodically to allow for the increase in stem girth.

11 4.17 The ties must be inspected at least once each year and adjusted or replaced if required. Only if establishment is particularly slow should stakes be left in situ for more than three growing seasons. Ideally, in year 2, the stake height should be reduced by half and the ties reaffixed accordingly.

5.0 Protection Barriers

5.1 The part of a tree most susceptible to damage is its root system. Damage to the trunk and branches of a tree rarely kills it, although it may well result in severe disfigurement. A tree’s root development is entirely opportunistic and spreads horizontally to a distance and depth entirely dictated by the ground conditions encountered. Very few trees retain a ‘tap root’ after their first few years of growth. Roots require oxygen and water to function properly and therefore most will run close to the ground surface: about 90% of tree roots are to be found within the top 600 mm of soil. These roots tend to be fine and fibrous to allow easy absorption of water, oxygen and nutrients from the soil. They can be easily overlooked and damaged by crushing or removal during earth-moving operations.

5.2 The root protection area (RPA) must extend at least as far as the outer limit of the tree’s canopy spread, but the correct way to calculate the RPA for mature trees is to measure the diameter of the tree trunk at a point 1.5 metres above the ground and multiply this by twelve. For example, a tree with a 500 mm diameter at 1.5 metres above the ground would need a 6-metre radius relative to the trunk.

5.3 All trees and hedgerows that are being retained during the lifetime of the quarrying and backfill operations must be protected by vertical barriers, erected to create a construction exclusion zone. The protected area must be regarded as sacrosanct and, once installed, barriers must not be removed or re-aligned without the prior approval of an arboriculturist and/or the local planning authority.

5.4 The default specification for the barriers will be as illustrated in the figure below (page 12) and as described in British Standard 5837:2012; that is, a vertical and horizontal scaffold framework, which must be well braced to resist impacts from delivery trucks, digger vehicles or other machinery. The vertical tubes are to be spaced at a maximum interval of 3 metres and driven securely into the ground. On to this framework, welded mesh panels must be securely fixed. Care must be taken, when locating bracing poles, to avoid contact with the tree’s structural roots.

5.5 All-weather resistant notices must be attached to the barriers at regular intervals, with wording such as “EXCLUSION ZONE – NO ACCESS”. Even where sapling trees are involved, protective fencing must be no less than 1.2 metres high and ideally 2.3 metres high.

Additional Precautions Outside the Exclusion Zone

5.6 Planning of site operations must take sufficient account of any plant to be used that may have booms, jibs, counterweights or other projecting elements, to ensure that they can operate or move around without coming into contact with the trunks or branches of retained trees. Any transit of plant or diggers in proximity to such trees must be conducted under the supervision of a designated banksman, to ensure that adequate clearance from trees is maintained at all times. If necessary, a reasonable level of access facilitation pruning may be undertaken by a skilled arboriculturist to maintain the required clearance.

5.7 No toxic materials (or other materials likely to damage trees) shall be stacked or discharged within ten metres of a trunk. Other materials, including soil, shall not be left stacked within five metres of tree trunks. No site huts or machinery are to be located or stored within ten metres of a trunk.

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6.0 Ongoing Maintenance and Aftercare

Application of Fertilisers

6.1 For the new trees, a certified organic fertiliser may be applied at a rate of 30g per tree during February/March, if required. For the new hedge plants, certified organic fertiliser may be applied at a rate of 100g per square metre in February/March, if required; the alternative use of ‘slow release’ fertilisers should also be considered.

Weed Control

6.2 Keeping the new hedge and trees free from weeds is essential in the first two years of planting and desirable for another two to three years after the establishment phase. After this, the hedge will be able to protect itself. Weed-free conditions lead to higher soil moisture levels and greater nutrient availability in general. Helping a new hedge in this way is particularly important. Therefore, an area of clean ground 1 metre in diameter around each planting station must be maintained in a weed-free condition during these early years, until the hedge is well established or, in the case of hedgerow trees, canopy closure is achieved. Weed control must be undertaken at least three times a year for the first growing season, reducing to twice per annum in subsequent years.

6.3 Weeds can be best controlled manually during the early life of trees and hedges, as herbicides can affect the establishment of new root systems if applied incorrectly. Regular cultivation and maintaining the organic mulch is recommended as the best method for ongoing control of the spread of weeds. Once the hedge and trees are well established, if and where necessary, the area can then be treated with an appropriate (approved) foliar herbicide (such as Glyphosate), to deal with any

13 persistent noxious or rampant weed growth. This requires specialist knowledge and equipment and needs to be repeated annually during each spring. Though initially cheaper and easier to apply than mulches, relying on herbicides alone can prove more expensive in the long run.

6.4 The Contractor shall also be responsible for removing all injurious weeds (as defined in the Weeds Act 1959) from the remainder of each transplanted tree or shrub plot. The growth of herbaceous material between the new hedge and the existing concrete wall must be controlled by strimming, twice each year.

Inspection

6.5 The new hedgerow shall be inspected each year and any irregular growth must be cut back by hand. The hedge may take up to five years to become fully established. It is likely that windblown plants will establish themselves at the base of the hedge over time, which will add to the diversity of species.

Replacement of Dead Stock

6.6 Throughout the Aftercare Period, all dead stock shall be replaced at the end of each growing season to obtain 100% stock survival. Replacement stock shall be of the same size and species as that originally specified.

Long-term Maintenance

6.7 Although the initial five-year maintenance regime is the crucial element in establishing healthy, flourishing trees, this does not mean that after five years no further maintenance is desirable. It is beneficial to fertilise the ground around the bottom of the trees every one or two years (depending on the condition of the soil), although this must not be regarded as a ‘cure-all’ solution for problems with healthy growth. In addition, all trees will need occasional thinning, pruning, reshaping, crown lifting, removal of dead wood and so on, in order to retain a good shape and maintain healthy growth. During years 6 to 10 and beyond, watering, mulching, pruning and pest monitoring are still desirable, if not absolutely necessary.

6.8 Watering of well-established trees should only be necessary in periods of prolonged dry weather or drought. Soil moisture is to be tested periodically using a soil probe: there should be an adequate amount of moisture no more than six inches below the ground surface. Proper mulching helps to protect the tree trunk and roots from injury, retain moisture content within the soil and moderate the soil temperature. If shredded bark or wood-chip is used as the basis of the mulch, this in itself will recycle nutrients into the soil beneath. The mulch need only be 50 to 75 mm deep, but must be well spread out and never piled up against the base of the trunk.

6.9 Many pest infestations are caused by soil contamination or deficiency, bad weather or human interference, but keeping up a regime of maintenance should reduce the risk. Any insect infestation or disease must be properly analysed before deciding on a control method. Appropriate pesticides or other chemical treatments must be used strictly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Structural pruning is best carried out whilst the tree is still young and should concentrate on (a) reducing multiple leader branches at the top of the tree, to maintain a central leader or single stem; and (b) removing lower branches to ensure proper clearance above the hedge top and passing pedestrians.

For the sources consulted/further reading, see page 15)

14 Main Sources

• Wardell Armstrong Environmental Statement and Restoration/Mitigation Scheme Drawings • Advice received from Warwickshire County Council’s Environment and Countryside Unit and Landscape Officer • Similar specifications previously prepared for other Alder Mill projects • Woodland Trust and Wildlife Trusts information on the wildlife value of tree and shrub species (no date) • How to Plant and Maintain Hedgerows, Mersey Forest Offices (no date) • Planting trees and hedges, https://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/planting-trees-and-hedges.html • Notes on Hedge Planting Specifications for Planning Applications, Forest of Dean District Council, 2006 • How to plant a hedge, www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/woodland-activities/how-to-plant-a-hedge/# • Hedges: planting, Royal Horticultural Society, https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=377 • Hedgerow planting: answers to 18 common questions, Natural England, 2008 • Guidance for planting and establishing hedges, Bath & North-east Somerset Council • Hedgerows: A guide to wildlife and management, People’s Trust for Endangered Species • The Hedgerow Management Cycle, Hedgelink UK/Natural England, Leaflet HLNK03 • Tree Maintenance Timetable, Missouri Department of Conservation, 2010 • Advice on watering regimes from the following sources: https://www.ashridgetrees.co.uk/watering-trees-summer http://www.englishhedging.com/faq/how-often-should-i-water-my-new-plants/ http://www.hedgingplantsdirect.co.uk/frequently-asked-questions-about-hedging-plants

Mark Singlehurst, BA (Hons), DipTP For Alder Mill 1 March 2016; revised and expanded 10 & 12 May 2016

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