Kent County Council is encouraging landowners to plant more trees in response to the ecological and climate emergencies. As professional tree surgeons in Kent, we believe it is our duty to provide locals with valuable information when planting trees.
Read on to uncover what trees to plant in Kent, whether you need planning permission and much more.
What is tree planting?
Tree planting is when a gardener or tree surgeon plants tree seedlings or a tree sapling into a desired location so a tree can grow healthy. A transplanting technique is often used where the tree seedlings or saplings are relocated from a location providing optimal conditions – such as a nursery or greenhouse – and replanted in the new desired location. However, tree planting can also refer to replanting larger developed trees or shrubs in new locations.
Sometimes, amateur gardeners undertake the transplanting of tree seedlings with mixed results. Using professional tree surgeons with state-of-the-art tools will ensure your trees grow more effectively and healthier. The relocation of fully developed trees should be exclusively left to tree surgeons and other arboriculture professionals for the best outcome – and to ensure the safety of people and buildings.
What are the benefits of tree planting?
Many people want to plant trees on their private or commercial premises to enhance their aesthetic beauty, which in turn can increase the value of a property or land.
But this isn’t the only reason to want to plan trees. Other reasons include:
- Trees clean the air and provide pleasant aromas
- Trees are good for the environment
- Trees mitigate soil erosion
- Trees provide habitats for local wildlife
- Trees can increase privacy and buffer against noise pollution
- Trees can even slow water run-off and reduce flooding
Do I need planning permission to plant trees?
In England, planting trees does not require planning permission as long as your project does not exceed two hectares and is also in a low-risk region. If you do not know if the area you plan to plant is classified as low risk or not, you can contact the Forestry Commission for advice. If you are using planting services from professional tree surgeons, they should give you the information directly.
You cannot plant trees in some areas, such as sites where there are protected species, archaeological sites and heathland.
Selecting the correct trees for Kent
When planting new trees in Kent, it is important that landowners choose tree species that are native to the UK and trees that already thrive in your vicinity.
If you get your trees from a tree surgeon, they should be able to guarantee the origin of the tree you are planting. But if you source the tree seedlings yourself, you’ll have to ensure you’re buying from an honest supplier.
By planting non-native trees, you could create an environment for pests and tree disease.
Examples of small, medium and big native trees
When planting trees, it is essential that you consider the tree’s size once it has fully grown. Depending on the area you have for your trees to grow, you should consider small, medium or large trees native to Kent.
Some common examples are:
SMALL – goat willow, crab-apple, hazel and blackthorn trees
MEDIUM – hawthorn, yew, holly, elder and field maple trees
LARGE – Oak or maple trees
What is the best time to plant trees?
The best time to plant new shrubs and trees in the UK is between October and April. You should avoid planting when the surface is waterlogged or close to freezing. A professional tree surgeon may identify other reasons why a tree should not be planted just yet.
Rootballed and bare-root shrubs and trees are available in autumn and early winter. These should be immediately planted if possible. If it is not possible to plant these shrubs and trees immediately, they should be heeled in. Heeling in is when your temporary plant the tree or shrub in the soil to prevent its roots from drying out.
What trees should you not plant near your house?
When planting trees close to a house, there are some additional factors to consider. The primary consideration is that some tree species have complex root systems that can grow to block drainage systems and damage foundations. If a tree damages your home’s foundations it can be an eye-watering cost to put right.
The worst trees to plant too close to your home for this reason are ash, oak and poplar trees. If you want to plant a tree close to your home, it’s best to get advice on what trees have a non-invasive root system that is less likely to damage your foundations. Our tree surgeons are often called out to fell trees too close to houses – or to replant them further away from the property.
How to plant new trees (simplified step-by-step)
Here is a simplified step-by-step guide to planting trees in the UK:
Step #1: Dig
You first need to dig a hole to set the seedlings or sapling. In general, this should be two or three times the size of the sapling’s current roots. Rough up the sides of your hole.
Step #2: Plant
Detangle the roots without overly disturbing them and plant the sapling into the ground.
Step #3: Fill!
Fill the hole with the original soil halfway. Then add water and wait for the water to soak into the soil before continuing to add more soil.
Step #4: Mulch
Add two to four inches of organic mulch. Do not add fertilisers straight away, as this is added later.
Tree planting services in Kent
N J Apps provides a respected tree planting service across Kent for private and commercial clients. We can provide a planting-only service and provide relevant extras. To provide you with a transparent quote, it’s essential that our team visit your site to discuss your vision. We strive to meet you within 24 hours of your enquiry, subject to availability.
Contact our friendly team now to arrange a free consultation.