Leicester Tree Strategy Review

Inspection and survey programme.

T&W

Schools, Highway, Housing and Parks tree stock inspections undertaken to identify works required to manage the health of the tree stock.

2021/22 - 350 surveys completed

This equates to 27% of all LCC sites with trees were surveyed (total 1,285 sites). Sites include 208 parks, 185 housing transects, 642 highway transects etc.

Continue to expand the council’s tree stock

T&W

Replacement planting of heavy stock has been undertaken in the highway, housing areas and parks & open spaces, along with new developments.

2021/22 - 677 large trees were planted

Examples:

122 Western Park

70 Various housing estates

19 Abbey Park

Engage a team of volunteer Tree Wardens.

LEV

In partnership with The Tree Council LCC now has a dedicated team of 23 Tree Wardens registered as a constituted group, trained to assess and report issues and assist in tree planting and establishment, e.g. early identification of Ash Die Back etc.

Level of complaints.

T&W

Formal complaints received:

2021/22 - 1 complaint

No complaints have been upheld by the LG Ombudsman.

Tree inspection programme to identify and eliminate potential risk. Maintain inventory register for each tree on Ezytreev database.

T&W

Visual tree inspection regime as ref 1 above: Sites inspection frequency 3 – 7 years based on potential risk depending on location:

This identifies the condition and health of the tree stock and any impact the whole tree, might provide in terms of nuisance, hazard and complaint, typical examples being, obstruction of highway/streetlamp, removal of deadwood, tree disease and potential tree failure, etc.

Aim for two thirds of available budget to be targeted on proactive maintenance, rather than emergency works.

T&W

Annual programme of works identified following site surveys with the aim to manage the stock in a safe and healthy condition and reduce the reliance on emergency reaction works.

2021/22

Reactive spend £207k (33%)

Proactive spend £428k (67%)

Planting plans

T&W

Tree species are chosen to meet the suitability to location being planted using a range of native trees but also recognising that exotic trees have a place in the landscape.

e.g., Western Park used predominantly native tree stock, but some exotics species where planted where the location warranted this.

Promote the wide selection of species and cultivars used at key parks

P&OS

Development of a tree trail template which can be downloaded or used as an App to showcase and promote core species across a site encouraging the user to visit the whole site. Abbey Park tree trail will be launched in 2022. With further park tree trails added throughout the year.

Right tree right place

T&W

Planning

Early engagement between planning team and developer as part of the design process to build in tree stock which provides appropriate amenity suitable for the location.

eg. Ashton Green, green infrastructure planning with Tilla Homes. 30 highway trees, 11 SUDS area planting & 3 front garden plantings.

Procurement policy to ensure quality and scope of species.

T&W

Tender being developed for procurement to establish a framework contract for the supply of a range of species and cultivars to meet the needs of the council.

Successful establishment of heavy tree stock.

T&W

Preparation of tree pits with appropriate soil conditioner, drainage and irrigation system to ensure successful establishment.

2021/22 – 98% establishment rate

Any establishment failures are replanted within the following planting season.