Technical
I can remember my first experiences of planting trees on a large scale. It was back in 1973 when I was a parks apprentice with Birmingham City Council. The Government had come up with a
scheme to “Plant A Tree In ’73”, which was followed by “Plant Some More In ’74”. I must have planted thousands in and around
the city’s parks in those two years, from small whips to full, root ball, 12ft high specimens. Nearly forty years later, I am able to look back at the fully grown specimens with some pride
Laurence Gale MSc doesn’t beat about the bush!
P
lanting trees and hedges should not be looked at in terms of being a chore, a ‘bang’ em in’ exercise, or that it may be too expensive. Planting trees and hedges is about leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy and benefit from. Even today, more than two centuries after their death, we admire the achievements of landscape gardeners such as Capability Brown and Thomas Archer, such is their legacy. Many factors must be taken in to consideration when planting trees and hedges. First of all, and prior to any planting, think carefully what you are trying to achieve:
- Screening - Wind break - Noise barrier - Demarcation of perimeters - Decorative and/or ornamental - To control livestock - To control soil erosion
The choice of planting material will need to be carefully considered. Should it be a single species, deciduous or evergreen, or a mixture? Should they be flowering or non flowering, thorny or smooth barked?
It is also important to choose the right plant for the right place; the topography and environmental factors of the site will dictate what can be planted and where.
- Ground conditions; is it wet, dry, free draining? Can the selected species thrive in the local soil?
- Height; will the tree have the chance to mature?
- Canopy spread; how wide will the tree grow?
- Is the tree deciduous or coniferous? Will leaf drop be a factor in the winter?
- Form or shape. A columnar tree will grow in less space. Round and V- shaped species provide the most shade
- Growth rate; how long will it take for your tree to reach its full height? Slow growing species typically live longer than fast growing species
- Soil, sun, and moisture requirements - Access for maintenance
The condition and age of the plant material is vitally important in terms of dictating both the successful establishment and how quickly you want the hedge or tree to achieve its objective. There have been, over the years, many schools of thought on what is the best
Planting trees and hedges
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