Urban Tree & Woodland   Establishment & Maintenance

Essentials

All Treegeneration grant-aid is subject to planting and after-care specifications. The following notes are an example of the type of specifications required.

TRANSPORTING & PLANTING

  • Keep roots moist at all times during the transplanting process – even just a few minutes exposure can kill the tree. Tree roots should be kept in plastic bags until the last minute before planting.
  • Handle trees carefully as rough handling can affect their viability.
  • Plant trees firmly and to the depth they were planted at the nursery (this should be indicated on the root stem by a darker, damper shade).
  • Standard-size trees should be staked and tied.

MAINTENANCE

  • Maintain a weed-free zone of at least 1m² around each plant for at least the first 3 years (though 5 years is preferable).  This can be done:

  • Physically e.g. through the use of mulches to suppress competing weed growth.  Coarse chopped bark or wood chip (100mm layer, particle size 75mm minimum) and sheet mulches (polypropylene or bitumen) all work well.

    Chemically e.g. using glyphosate (Roundup) applied as a contact spray using a plastic guard to protect the plant itself during spraying – this should be done early in the growing season (April/May) and / or Using propyzamide (Kerb) applied as a residual during the winter.

  • Water newly planted trees regularly during hot dry spells. 
  • If you are planting standards, a 2-3 year Defects Liability Period (DLP) – making the planting and maintenance contractor liable for any initial failures –is recommended.  It may be tempting to cut costs and take a chance without one, but this is not advised!

TREE PROTECTION

  • In areas prone to vandalism, standards should be treble-staked and fenced off using weld mesh guards to limit potential damage to trees.  It is also advisable to engage local residents and youths in the planting to ensure a sense of ‘ownership’ in the scheme.
  • Where grazing occurs on site, tree guards should be used.  The size of guard will depend on the types of animals present.  Your local tree guard supplier will be able to advise you on what size you will need.  Biodegradable tree guards are now also available, which helps reduce waste and eliminates the need for them to be removed physically.

N.B.    Maintenance for the first 3 years is crucial and is integral to the success of any planting scheme. 

Optional Extras

The following techniques pay dividends on difficult sites, but will enhance performance on most sites.

  • Drench the root zone immediately after planting to remove large air pockets in the soil substrate (and, if possible, twice more in the first growing season).
  • Prune side shoots and retain a leading shoot to help compensate for any root loss and to encourage vigorous growth.
  • Feed each tree during the second growing season with a general fertiliser.

If you require any further information on any of the above, please contact us.