Dealing with Excavations within the Root Protection Area or RPA.

Using any type of mechanical digger within Root Protection Areas RPA will damage roots. Air spades which use compressed air may be a better solution to hand digging in some instances. Air spades use compressed air and are much less likely to damage the tree roots. At the very least we recommend in order to avoid damage to roots, that hand tools should be used such as forks and spades. Care should be taken to minimize the disturbance to the roots beyond the work area. Ground protection sheets can help to stop compaction by wheelbarrows and site operators. Also, ground protection sheets can be used to temporarily store spoil from any excavation works. Small roots and fibrous roots should be retained. These small roots should not be allowed to dry out and damp hessian should be used to cover them. All roots should be retained, but if that is not possible, they should be cut cleanly, using sharp secateurs or a sharp saw. Roots of 10cm or more in diameter should only be cut after consultation with an arboricultural consultant.

Tree Root Protection Zone

What is the Difference between Tree Root Protection Area (RPA) and Tree Root Protection Zone (RPZ).

There is really no difference between the terms Tree Root Protection Area and Tree Root Protection Zone. It refers to the area of ground around the tree/s which has/have been calculated by the Arboriculturalist using the data recorded when they carried out their tree survey.

Landvision offers an arboricultural supervision service for projects which require a high level of input while a development is ongoing. This will include giving advice to the client as well as to site personnel, architects and engineers. Landvision will keep records of all meetings and site inspections which may be required by the Local Planning Authority. We can also set up and manage landscape contracts or any proposed landscaping. Call us now at Landvision 01892 782200 to discuss your next project.

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What are the site restrictions and what characteristics do you want from the tree?

Trees with interesting bark can contribute so much in winter. For instance, Betula utilis jacquemontii, with its white bark. Prunus serrula- with its shiny mahogany bark- these two trees are exceptional in urban parks.

Good autumn colour is important for a street tree. What better than the leaves of bright yellow falling from an Acer campestre for children to scrunch through in the autumn? If there is room for the tree’s roots and for its crown, this is a lovely tree. If space is more limited, try fastgiate (upright) hornbeam which is yellow/brown in autumn, or fastigiate beech, for bright orange autumn leaves.

If you prefer red autumn colour, trees with scarlet leaves are numerous and the scope is greater ,if space allows. Choose from Quercus rubra if there is plenty of room or even a Liquidambar styraciflua. If space is restricted there are some pyramidal forms of Liquidambar. Both these specimen trees have fabulous autumn colour- scarlet leaves and stunning interest from October onwards. They make stunning urban trees and transform an urban street in autumn. It is best if there are soft landscaped beds for the tr.)ees roots to develop.

Above all, try not to restrict yourself to planting tiny trees with small crowns (such as Malus or Sorbus) unless space is really tight. These trees are more suited to a small garden and generally have a more limited impact on street amenity than larger trees.

Do not plant trees closer than 3 metres form your house and always bear in mind services runs, so that tree roots do not restrict affect services.

On sites where there is a medium amount of space, you can think about using more native trees to attract wildlife, Prunus avium (Wild gean) makes a lovely large tree, with white blossom and fabulous autumn colour. The white beam, is a smaller tree but just as attractive to wildlife and produces silvery leaves and in winter red berries for birds and wildlife. Plant Sorbus aria or use another native, hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) where space allows width.

For urban gardens, Prunus or orna.)mental cherry, have white and pink blossom, in single and double flowered forms, from weeping to fastigiate. If space allows you can choose a round crown for maximum shade and interest. Useful trees are Prunus Ama-no-gawa (a very narrow,fastigiate cherry tree) for very limited space.

Finally, look at using the maximum size and best shape of of tree for each site, as this will contribute the most to the neighbourhood in which it grows. In maturity these trees will provide more foliage, blossom and increased wildlife interest if thery are native, supporting birds and mammals all year round. If you are generous about tree size and spread, the ultimate rewards will be to your whole community; the street’s “end users”, not only inhabitants of the urban space but also visitors who will enjoy the spectacle of a softened street, lots of autumn colour and winter interest, all year round. Plant bare root trees from Nov- March. See our other tree blog for details.

For more ideas, see our protfolio of trees and designs at landvision.co.uk. You can ring us to arrange a visit to our landscapes or email;charmaine@landvision.co.uk Happy tree planting! .)

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Green infrastructure is the green space, urban trees and bushes, woodlands that surround us. It is seen as important, because not only does it act on humans to give positive effects to society, but local councils are using GI to enhance local ecology to improve local health and well being as well as to boost ecology.

Green infrastructure (GI) works at all spatial scales from micro to macro. Big Society ideas and the idea of local community involvement in GI means that new GI can be planned, delivered and managed at the local level.
Despite the change of government, the increasing awareness and understanding of GI has not been lost. Defra’s “An invitation to shape the nature of England”, highlights importance of GI and need for planning and delivery of GI.
GI and allied political changes identified by The Landscape Institute include;
“The revocation of Regional Spatial Strategies
The establishment of Local Enterprise Partnerships
The creation of new designations to protect green areas of particular importance to local communities
The Big Society and local agendas.
The reduction of the budget deficit”
(Based on The Landscape Institute’s latest article on GI.)
For general inquiries on Green Infrastructure and how Landvision can help you and your community email;charmaine@landvision.co.uk

Landvision and The Landscape Institute both fully recognise many far reaching benefits of Green Infrastructure.
These include GI as a way of tackling;
Climate change adaptation and mitigation
Water management improvements and flood alleviation schemes.
Biodiversity enhancement and BAPs(Biodiversity Action Plans)
Crime, safety and antisocial behaviour reduction.
Employment and training opportunities.
Well being and general health
Economic investment in local communities.
Beauty/pride of and increased sense of place in local areas.
Good design, robust, fit for purpose landscape design.

A leaflet will be published in January 2011 by the Landscape Institute urging local communities to become involved.

Green Infrastructure queries; to find out how Landvision can help you & your local community with Green Infrastructure; visit; landvision.co.uk or email, charmaine@landvision.co.uk

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