Tree Frontiers News

A newsletter that helps keep you abreast of interesting facts and information from the world of arboriculture and related industries.

With a small spell of warmer weather, and abatement of the rain, it certainly feels like Spring is on its way. Tree buds are starting to burst and we’ve even seen birds begin to build nests. It’s a timely reminder that birds may be starting to nest (bird nesting season March – September)?and therefore checks should be undertaken before tree works are undertaken.

As expected, the main talking point for the development sector has been focused around Biodiversity Net Gain. There are still unanswered questions regarding applicability, implementation and enforcement, with a wealth of information being made available from Natural England and property professionals.

This comes just as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published a report, finding that the complex and unpredictable planning system, coupled with other aspects, is responsible for the persistent under delivery of new homes, falling short by approximately 50,000 homes. Will the implementation of added statutory requirements contribute to further under delivery?

Biodiversity Net Gain: Flawed concept or path to ecological restoration?

Last month, Arup and Vertical Meadow organised an event that delved into the intricate balance between development and biodiversity conservation. The panel discussion centred around Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and the collaborative efforts among developers, local authorities, environmental organisations, and communities to enhance the impact of BNG and contribute to nature recovery. The full event is available to view here.

The Government release guidelines for the management of ash dieback

Based on the expert knowledge of UK researchers and practitioners, and informed by evidence of European countries where the disease has been present for 25 years. The Government has issued a document to create a consistent decision process among officials that oversee Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and ancient woodlands.

Over half of the UK's woodland and wood-pasture SSSIs in England contain significant amounts of ash. They are nationally important for biodiversity conservation, and managing the impact of ash dieback disease is crucial to minimise negative effects on biodiversity.

View the document here.

Grant funding competition from DEFRA

DEFRA is running a grant funding competition to name a new Forest for the Nation. Inspired by the success of the National Forest which has transformed a landscape across 200 square miles, the Forest of the Nation is hoped to connect more people to nature through woodland creation and management.

The two stage grant funding competition is now accepting applications, and stage one will close at 10am on 18 March 2024. Further details of how the competition works, and how to apply can be found in full here.

Funding awarded to become the UK's first net zero national park

The Cairngorms National Park Authority has been granted an impressive sum of ￡10.7 million by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to facilitate their transformation into the UK’s inaugural net zero national park. Cairngorms 2030, one of the most substantial projects ever backed by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, aims to ignite action among individuals and communities within the National Park, addressing the urgent nature and climate crisis.

Read the full story here.

Devon to boost Celtic Rainforest

Temperate rainforests provide a habitat for wildlife, fix soil carbon and purify the air, however over time, these rainforests (sometimes known as the Celtic Rainforests) have deteriorated due to air pollution, invasive species and diseases such as ash dieback.

We’re excited to read that National Trust will be planting more than 100,000 trees, including almost-extinct species, to boost Celtic rainforests across three sites in north Devon. The trees are hoped to be planted in north Devon across Exmoor, Woolacombe, Hartland and inland at Arlington Court, near Barnstaple.

Read more here.

BA Community Fund funds 9,000 new oak trees in Buckinghamshire

The Forestry Commission has partnered with British Airways (BA) to plant 9,000 trees in Buckinghamshire, forming part of Wing Wood, a brand new woodland site and a wildflower meadow. BA’s Community Fund has funded the planting of the trees, and they continue to accept donations for the wildflower meadow.?

Find out more and donate here.

Prehistoric woodland habitat discovered

During a year-long peat restoration project at the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate in Somerset, an area of buried prehistoric woodland, plant and insect remains was discovered. The remains were found preserved in the peatland and provide a snapshot of the plant and insect species that lived when the peat was formed.

Read more here.

Sniffing out tree decay

Since 2013, Sika the border collie has been helping her owner to detect decay in trees. Trained by her owner, Sika can identify pathogens that are otherwise invisible to the eye. The Forestry Commission and the Arboricultural Association are keen to explore the idea of sniffer dogs.

Read the full story here.

TREE FRONTIERS NEWS

New Case Study: Private Property

We were approached by a client living in a residential property in South Oxfordshire to help resolve a stop notice from the Local Planning Authority, following works to repair existing access, that was considered harmful to an offsite protected tree.

We provided a suite of services to ensure that the access could be reinstated and the tree safely retained. The local planning authority confirmed that it was satisfied that the tree could be safely retained, and the new drive was reinstated with no further harm to the tree or rooting environment.

Read more here.

Out on the Road

It’s been a busy month attending various events across the country.

We were delighted to head down to London to deliver lunchtime CPD sessions to both Charlton Brown Architects and Jinny Blom studios.

The presentations were tailored to the need of the practices and covered?all things trees, from undertaking baseline surveys, incorporating trees into design schemes, post-planning supervision and protection works and soil remediation practices.

If a CPD session would be beneficial for your team get in touch: [email protected]?

Steve also spent a day volunteering as a Trustee with the Arboricultural Association at a quarterly board meeting.

We also attended the first Talk Property event at COTSWOLD FARM PARK LIMITED , taking the opportunity to catch up with existing clients and meet other property-related professionals.

And finally, we also joined a large cohort of arboriculturist at SHARON HOSEGOOD ASSOCIATES LTD 'Tress Planning and Construction Conference' at Braxstead Park and last week we joined other arboriculturists at Harcourt Arboretum for demonstrations from Sorbus International Limited on the latest innovations in tree and soil assessments.

Tree of the month

For this month’s tree, we focusing on a more exotic species, which is the State tree of Louisiana. This particular tree can often be confused with a tree of a completely different genus. With overall form, bark and foliage look incredibly similar, the main difference being alternate shoots rather than opposite shoots.…. Any idea which tree we’re talking about? Find out more...