A Plan for more Trees in Seavington - 2007
PLANNING FOR MORE TREES AND SHRUB PLANTING IN THE SEAVINGTONS
A Report For Seavington Parish Council
Planning for more trees and shrubs in the Seavingtons
Trees are important for at least four reasons; environmental protection, aesthetics, wildlife and education.
Trees and forests are also crucial to life on our planet. They generate oxygen, store carbon and water, stabilise soil and play host to a spectacular variety of wildlife, providing raw materials, shelter and fuel.
It is a surprise to learn that the UK is one of the least wooded countries in Europe with 12% average tree cover whereas most other European countries average 46%. In Somerset the tree cover is only 8%. As recently as medieval times, the hunting forest of Neroche covered South Somerset and, earlier than that, wood pasture covered the West Country from Bristol Channel to the English Channel. Given the current low percentage of tree cover in Somerset, there is pressure now to plant trees. So much so that South Somerset District Council, as part of their response to climate change and provision of a CO² sink, have employed a part time tree planting officer and committed £25,000 to be spent over the next 3 years on tree planting schemes. This is the first time the Council have made such a large commitment to tree planting.
So in Somerset, trees are important and particularly in our geological location, as the very light local soil which is derived from ‘Yeovil Sand’, is in fact river silt created because this area was once covered by a vast river many hundreds of thousands of years ago. It is very fertile soil but also very vulnerable to erosion; rainstorms often create significant soil erosion sending the soil cascading with the rainwater into the lanes. The hedges and trees perform an important task in our landscape acting as a barrier anchoring the soil to stop erosion. One interesting thing about many of the fields in our valley is the way hedges have created a terraced affect, with land on one side of a hedge often many feet higher than the field next door. Not many of our hedges are more than 250 years old so that means that this soil movement is relatively recent with soil from the hills moving constantly towards the valley bottom unless arrested by a hedge. Maintaining and replanting the hedges is therefore another important issue in managing water run off and stabilising fertility. The hedges and trees also supply valuable shelter to the fields raising the temperature in the fields by several degrees, sheltering crops and stock and our villages, providing rich aesthetic value
Trees bring with them a wealth of wildlife, not just birds but insects and mammals. Seavington is rich in birdlife, much of it due to the number of mature trees in gardens and the landscape. The trees also provide the delight of the new leaves and flowers in the spring and the glorious colours of autumn. The hedges provide habitat, food and wildlife corridors allowing movement of species in these times of climate change. Because of all this trees and hedges have enormous educational value. Village children could be encouraged to collect and grow seeds from local trees, which could be used in village tree planting.
Village tree planting to date: Along with the rest of Britain, Somerset was devastated by Dutch elm disease in the 1970’s from which the landscape has not yet recovered visually. In the past Seavington residents have planted their properties with interesting trees from which we all gain enormous benefit. Standing on the public footpath on the hill above Prospect Place overlooking Manor Farm and Mead Farm and down over the villages, it is interesting to note the contribution that past tree planting makes enriching the village environment.
In the recent past there have been village plantings to commemorate national events – flowering cherries to mark the Silver Jubilee, the trees round the playing field. Since 1998 the tree wardens have raised money and planted the two oaks at the top right hand side of the playing field to mark the Millennium, planted Rowan trees to replace some of the cherries which had died due to old age, planted a field corner on Manor Farm, planted various trees to complete the planting round the playing field including the ‘golden trees’ to mark the Golden Jubilee. Several hedgerow trees have been planted and others ‘tagged’ to allow natural growth to maturity.
In future planting, trees and shrubs must be chosen that are not too thirsty, trees like beech are likely to suffer in global warming, in future we may have to consider planting Mediterranean type trees and shrubs. They should also be chosen for their wildlife value.
The suggestions below could be planted in phases over several years. Sources of funding that could be considered are the funds at SSDC, a contribution from local businesses, SPFA, parish council funds, fund raising from the village and other national funds.
It is hoped that the Seavington Parish Council will adopt this planting plan as their own and approach landowners as necessary to implement the planting in phases over several years. Tree Wardens would be happy to recommend species and assist with procurement and organising tree planting events with the assistance of the Parish Council, the Seavington Playing Fields Association and other village organisations.
So to return to the question of practical tree planting in the Seavingtons: the suggestions made in the Landscape Appendix to the Village Plan were as follows:
THE PLAYING FIELD
1. There is still some potential for tree and shrub planting around the playing field perimeter, especially in the corner behind the Millennium Oak trees where indigenous, colourful small trees and shrubs are needed to provide a backdrop to these two important new trees and valuable habitat. This would also be an excellent site for another bench – the view from this elevated corner is wonderful.
2. Recently it has been necessary to remove the 6 diseased Horse Chestnut trees from around the Playing Field. The intention now is to replace (with different species) and improve the planting and soften the look of the playing field by planting up the corners creating a central round area containing the playing pitches. The existing planting could be reinforced by additional small trees in between and in front of the current boundary trees which would not inhibit the use of the pitches particularly on the north and west sides.
3. If a path is created along the bottom of the playing field from the overflow car park to the hall, trees and shrubs could be planted along the path particularly on the road side although it should be borne in mind that planting must not obscure the play area from the road (ref. child protection).
4. Additional landscape planting will be required by SSDC if shop development goes ahead.
5. Most of the trees around the playing field need their crowns lifting again this year to enable easy mowing.
 Suggested species: trees, small trees and shrubs: oak, walnut, field maple, birch, maple, ash, oak, hazel, hawthorn, blackthorn, dogwoods, holly, bird cherry, wayfaring tree, guelder rose, spindle.
 A Bench would also be straightforward and just needs a costing.
 The new planting would be easy to do and achievable for about £1,000 including costs for tree protection.
VILLAGE GATEWAYS
6. The recently sited Hamstone village markers offer little opportunity for tree planting because of the size of the verge but might benefit by some native bulb planting.
7. There is also an opportunity here to screen the Liftwest building on the western of Seavington by planting a row of trees to hide it. This would only require the gift of a very thin strip of land for tree planting to make a much more positive impression as you enter the village.
 Suggested species –fastigiated trees (tall thin trees) i.e Lombardy Poplar or Leyland Cypress
8. The western entrance to the village would also be improved by tree planting or the creation of a hedge on the left hand side of the road as you drive into the village to soften the aspect.
 Suggested species for western entrance: Field maples, holly, ash, hazel, hawthorn, Italian alder, gorse.
HEDGES AND HEDGEROW TREES
9. Planting and tagging suitable hedgerow trees on farmland to allow them to grow to their full maturity.
 With permission from landowners, tree wardens would be happy to do this. Nil cost
10. Encourage local land managers to fill the gaps up in their hedges to renovate them.
11. Encourage the cutting of field hedges in an A-shape as this slows the rate of growth and provides better habitat.
12. Possible tree planting along Harrison’s Lane from Easterdown Lane.
13. Planting some trees or tagging some hedgerow trees in the field boundaries south of Mead Farm where some oak and ashes have been lost.
14. On the eastern side of the village, the Yeovil and South Petherton side, encourage tree planting or tagging of hedgerow trees to stop cutting to add shelter and landscape value and diversity, breaking up the skyline to make the agricultural land look less bleak and more connected to the village visually.
 Suggested species: hazel, hawthorn, field maple, blackthorn, crab-apple, wild privet, cherry plums and bird cherry
GARDEN TREES
15. Any resident, even those with relatively small gardens, can plant trees or shrubs. Future schemes may even provide free trees as a recent council scheme did; these should be open to all.
 The parish council might be able to sponsor this.
 Suggested species: silver birch, holly, wild or garden dogwood, guelder rose, rowan, cherries, bullace and plums, crab apples
COMMUNITY AND OTHER WOODLAND
16. Planting copses, spinneys and small woods, for example in field corners or other small pockets of uneconomic land, will add wildlife and landscape value, the connecting hedges making excellent wildlife corridors. One of the problems is that small areas of woodland get cut off from each other and are not big enough to support enough genetic diversity. The provision of ecologically rich hedgerows as wildlife corridors allows species to move between woodlands thus accessing a wider gene pool and move north or south as climate change dictates. The year 2000 saw the development of a programme to establish community woods throughout England. Although it was not taken up in Seavington at the time, such a project may become possible and would greatly enhance the village, provide habitat and food for wildlife and also a place with public access full of recreational and educational possibilities.
 Land managers to be asked to look at the possibility of planting on uneconomic land and the corners of fields. Tree Wardens would be happy to draw up or help advise on the planting plans and help source the trees. A village tree-planting weekend could be organised where village members could volunteer to plant the trees.
 Suggested species: oak, ash, holly, field maple, cherry plums, wild pear, crabapple
 As a possible fundraising scheme for the village a landowner could donate a small area of ground and the shop or other village organisation could ‘sell’ trees to plant up the land at ‘x’ amount which would include an amount of profit to go to their project
COMMUNITY ORCHARDS
17. Another potential for a community project is the establishment of a community orchard. Such projects are promoted by Common Ground (1989, 32-3) and other similar organisations. The benefits to the villages compare well with those cited for community woodland.
18. A village orchard and dog walking field?! Some people don’t like dogs being walked on the playing field. Why not do a ‘deal’ with one of the landowners for one of the smaller fields that surround the village to rent a field, plant it with fruit trees, grow them organically and then sell the produce to a local outlet? Modern trees crop in their 3rd year. Throughout the year the village dog walkers could each pay a subscription or work their subscription by maintaining the orchard and could also use the field for exercising their dogs. Alternatively someone might like to keep some geese or sheep in it. This might give back to Seavington a little bit of the rich diversity, which must have existed when the village was surrounded with orchards.
 There is an opportunity possibly of planting back some of the apples in Old Orchard with old local apple varieties to perpetuate them. Tree Wardens would be happy to source and plant these. Local residents in Old Orchard might be surveyed and asked perhaps each to sponsor a tree, help with the planting and take on the responsibility of looking after the trees and using the crop.
 Suggested species: local old Somerset apple varieties – Beauty of Bath, Taunton Cross, Tom Putt, John Standish, Court of Wick along with pears, plums, cherry plums.
FUTURE NEW BUILD AND CONVERSIONS
19. New developments in Seavington, whether new build or conversions, should include adequate screening and landscaping which is sympathetic to a country village which will in turn present valuable opportunities for tree planting. Where possible the planners should ensure the planting of suitable hedges and trees within the garden design before the property goes on the market.
 When the parish council scrutinise planning applications, Tree Wardens should be given the opportunity to check that enough sympathetic planting has been recommended by the planners, and recommend more if necessary.
 Perhaps the village could give new arrivals a present of a tree to plant in their gardens. Cost £5-£25 each
 Suggested species: crab apples, prunus, holly, cherry, rowan, silver birch.
GRASSY BANKS
20. Grassy banks bound many properties in Seavington; these have to be mown regularly at a cost to the environment. For homeowners, an environmentally friendly alternative could be to use these banks and other grassy boundary areas for planting low-growing, low-maintenance shrubs. These would provide a visual enrichment and habitat for flora and fauna and only require maintenance once or twice a year.
 Suggested species chosen for their seasonal colour and wildlife value: dogwood, broome, acers, ornamental hollies, pieris, osmanthus, berberis, pyracantha, cistus, potentilla, ceonothus, hardy fuchias, hebes, lavender, shrub and ground cover roses, etc. Prickly plants make good protection for property!
SUMMARY
Somerset has a 4% deficit of tree cover compared with the rest of the UK. Seavington Tree wardens have done a modest amount of tree planting over the last 10 years but due to the lack of public open space in the Seavingtons, most of this has been confined to the playing field. South Somerset are currently actively encouraging the planting of trees to counteract global warming and have a budget for tree planting. Seavington Tree Wardens have surveyed the planting opportunities and identified the following areas where trees could be planted:
 The Playing Field – particularly due to the demise of the Chestnuts to ‘bleeding canker’ and the possible shop development
 The proposed village gateways
 Hedges and hedgerow trees
 Garden Trees
 Community and other woodland
 Community Orchards
 Future new build and conversions
 Grassy banks
CONCLUSION
Seavington Tree Wardens Jo Mills and Ry Coffman hope that the Seavington Parish Council will adopt the above proposals.
Many thanks to Mike Pollack and Barbara Collier for their support and advice.
* Indigenous trees suggested from South Somerset District Council’s ‘A species guide to tree and shrub planting in South Somerset’.
Prepared by Ry Coffman on behalf of Seavington Tree Wardens
November 2007