Friends of Lewes Lewes Town‐wide Arboretum Phase One: Survey Survey Report and Feasibility Study David Saunders, MICFor March 2013 Friends of Lewes Friends of Lewes CONTENTS 1 Foreword ........................................................................................................................... 1 2 Introduction....................................................................................................................... 2 2.1 History of Tree Planting Initiatives in Lewes ..................................................................... 2 2.1.1 Trees Committee ............................................................................................................................ 2 2.1.2 Trees for Lewes .............................................................................................................................. 2 2.1.3 Baxter’s Field .................................................................................................................................. 3 2.2 Brief and Scope of the Survey ............................................................................................. 3 2.3 The Survey Methodology .................................................................................................... 3 2.4 Sub‐division of the Town for Survey Purposes .................................................................. 4 2.5 Mapping Existing Designations, Town Character Areas and Significant Trees .............. 5 2.5.1 Conservation Areas in Lewes Town and Malling .......................................................................... 5 2.5.2 Tree Preservation Orders .............................................................................................................. 5 2.5.3 Ancient Woodland ......................................................................................................................... 5 2.5.4 Town Character Areas and Significant Trees ................................................................................ 6 3 The Current Tree Resource ................................................................................................ 7 3.1 An overview of the Tree‐scape of Lewes ........................................................................... 7 3.1.1 Planting and Natural Colonisation ................................................................................................ 7 3.1.2 Geology, Soils and Trees ................................................................................................................ 7 3.1.3 Fashions in Tree Planting – Some Historical Context ................................................................... 8 3.1.4 Tree Care and Maintenance Issues ............................................................................................... 9 3.1.4.1 Tree Surgery ......................................................................................................................... 9 3.1.4.2 Tree Establishment and Aftercare ....................................................................................... 9 3.1.4.3 Maintenance of Tree Planting ............................................................................................. 9 4 Featured Tree Species Present in Lewes ......................................................................... 10 4.1.1 Broadleaved Trees ....................................................................................................................... 10 4.1.1.1 Elms (Ulmus spp) and the impact of Dutch Elm Disease (DED) ....................................... 10 4.1.1.2 Alders (Alnus spp) .............................................................................................................. 10 4.1.1.3 Ash (Fraxinus spp) and Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) ................................................. 11 4.1.1.4 Beech (Fagus spp) ............................................................................................................... 12 4.1.1.5 Birches (Betula spp) ............................................................................................................ 13 4.1.1.6 Limes (Tilea spp) .................................................................................................................. 13 4.1.1.7 Oaks (Quercus spp) ............................................................................................................. 13 4.1.1.8 Poplars (Poplus spp) ........................................................................................................... 14 4.1.1.9 Whitebeam and Rowan (Sorbus spp) ................................................................................ 14 4.1.1.10 Willows (Salix spp) .............................................................................................................. 15 4.1.2 Other ornamentals ...................................................................................................................... 16 4.1.2.1 Cherries (Prunus spp) ......................................................................................................... 16 4.1.2.2 Holly trees (Ilex spp) .......................................................................................................... 16 4.1.2.3 Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) ........................................................................................... 16 4.1.2.4 Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) ........................................................................ 17 4.1.2.5 Maples (Acer spp)................................................................................................................ 17 4.1.2.6 Plane trees (Platanus x hispanica) ...................................................................................... 18 4.1.2.7 Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)..................................................................................... 18 4.1.2.8 Other notable ornamentals in the town ........................................................................... 18 4.1.3 Conifer Trees ................................................................................................................................ 18 4.1.3.1 Austrian Black Pine (Pinus nigra var 'austriaca') ................................................................ 18 4.1.3.2 Swamp cypress (Taxodium distichum) .............................................................................. 19 Page i of iii Friends of Lewes 4.1.3.3 Yew Trees (Taxus baccata) ................................................................................................ 19 4.1.3.4 Other conifers..................................................................................................................... 19 4.1.4 Fruiting Trees and Old Orchards ................................................................................................. 19 4.1.4.1 Walnuts (Juglans spp) ........................................................................................................ 19 4.1.4.2 Medlar (Mespilus germanica) ............................................................................................. 20 4.1.4.3 Mulberry (Morus nigra) ...................................................................................................... 20 4.1.4.4 Cherry plum (Bullace)......................................................................................................... 20 4.1.4.5 Ornamental varieties of fruit / nut trees ........................................................................... 20 4.1.4.6 Turkish Hazel (Corylus colurna) .......................................................................................... 20 5 Tree Collections and Ownership ......................................................................................21 5.1 Public Sites owned by Local Authorities ........................................................................... 21 5.1.1 Lewes District Council .................................................................................................................. 21 5.1.1.1 Grange Gardens ................................................................................................................... 21 5.1.1.2 Lewes House Garden .......................................................................................................... 21 5.1.1.3 Public Cemetery, Winterbourne Hollow ............................................................................ 21 5.1.1.4 Playgrounds ......................................................................................................................... 21 5.1.1.5 Parks and Public Open Spaces ........................................................................................... 22 5.1.1.6 Malling Community Centre ................................................................................................ 22 5.1.1.7 Offham Road ...................................................................................................................... 22 5.1.1.8 Malling Green ..................................................................................................................... 22 5.1.1.9 Paddock Lane / New Road walkway .................................................................................. 22 5.1.1.10 LDC Council Flats ................................................................................................................ 22 5.1.1.11 Car Parks ............................................................................................................................