Trees For Cornish Towns 2024 Consultation

Trees for Cornish Towns Consultation 2024

The Forest for Cornwall aims to empower the people of Cornwall to tackle the climate and ecological emergencies. Across Cornwall over one million trees have been planted so far! This includes everything from woodlands to trees in streets and gardens. We are achieving this together with residents, landowners, businesses and communities planting their own trees, as well as us planting on council land. Together more trees will tackle the impacts of climate change, improve our wellbeing, absorb carbon emissions and provide a place for wildlife to thrive.

Upcoming Urban Tree Planting Projects

We have secured funds from the Urban Tree Challenge Fund (Forestry Commission) to plant 186 new urban trees in 2024-25 and have developed planting schemes in four towns:

• Bude – 26 trees Agnes Close and Woodfield Road (with Cornwall Housing)
• Helston - 55 trees Trenethick Ave, Parc, Close
• Newquay – 86 trees Whitegate Road, St Aubyn Crescent
• Padstow – 19 trees Lodenek Avenue (with Cornwall Housing)

The consultation period is now closed, however you can still view the proposed plans on the project tabs to the right, and ask questions on the tab below.

Consultation Results 2024 (Published 2nd September 2024)

We have concluded the consultation in four locations: Bude, Helston, Newquay, Padstow.

Overview:

Of those who responded a total of 89.1% of people strongly support/support tree planting ambitions across Cornwall, and a similar high total support the specific planting scheme proposed at their local site (see below). We sent almost 500 letters out across the four schemes and the response rate averaged 35%. 149 people strongly support/support tree planting in their local area, with 18 partially supporting and 9 objecting.

As well as sending letters, members of the Forest for Cornwall team along with Cornwall Housing/CHL visited the four towns and spoke to as many residents as possible by going door-to-door. This was an additional form of engagement to the previous year’s consultation process.

Responses by Location:

• Bude – Woodfield Road and St Agnes Close: 95.45% are in favour. Two are partially supportive.
• Helston – Trenethick’s, Gweldues, Manor, Green etc: 83.3% are in favour. There are three objections and five only partially supportive. See below.
• Newquay – St Aubyn and Whitegate: 83.3% are in favour. There are four objections and five only partially supportive.
• Padstow – Trelawney, Sarah’s Lane, Lodenack: 85% are in favour. There are two objections and five only partially supportive.

Forest for Cornwall has assessed the concerns raised and considered suggestions about improving the planting proposals, and some aspects of each scheme will be revised.

At Helston: Overall consultation results are positive but following a site meeting with residents at Green Crescent, Helston Town Council and the local councillor we’ve made changes to the scheme and there will be further consultation with residents so we can collectively come up with a planting scheme everyone is happy with.

Why plant trees in this area?

Urban trees can help us adapt to some of the worst impacts of climate change, they absorb carbon dioxide, improve air quality, reduce surface water flooding, provide wildlife habitat and support biodiversity. We instinctively know that trees and greenery are good for our wellbeing and this was especially evident during COVID 19 when people flocked to visit parks, woodlands and open spaces, but not everyone has equal access to these places which is one of many reasons why more urban trees are needed.

The recommended minimum urban canopy cover in towns and cities in the UK is 20%, and 15% in coastal locations but many areas in Cornwall fall well below these recommendations so we are prioritising areas with some of the lowest canopy cover.

Finding suitable places to plant is especially challenging in streets and built-up areas where conditions are tough for trees with a lot of hard surfaces, underground services and street signage. As well as targeting areas with low canopy cover, to enable us to gain momentum we are focusing planting in grass verges and amenity areas.

Can I get involved in planting and aftercare?

Yes, we would love you too! We are always keen for people to get involved with planting and aftercare which is essential for the trees to establish, and you could also earn some Time Credits! If you would like to find out more, and ask about joining our Tree Guardians, please let us know on our Contact Us form or emailing forestforcornwall@cornwall.gov.uk.

Volunteers gathering to help plant out at Carn Brea near Camborne

When will the trees be planted?

We are planting in four towns across Cornwall this planting season 2024-25. Trees are planted during dormancy which is generally from November to March. The aim is to complete all planting during this period. Specific details about timings for each site will be available nearer the planting season and dates may change if weather conditions become unsuitable for planting.

How have these trees been selected?

A mix of species will be planted to provide variety in tree shape, blossom, fruit and colour, as well as building resilience to pests and disease. They have been carefully selected using our tree expertise, based on the Right Tree Right Place principle. The following are key considerations for tree selection:

Planting environment

Even though we see healthy mature trees in towns and cities, establishing them in an urban area is challenging because there is often compacted poor quality soil, underground pipes to avoid, and a lot of hard surfaces, making it hard for roots to get the air, water and nutrients they need. The local climate, exposure to wind, salt and drainage all have an impact on success.

Shape, form and attractiveness

We have selected cultivated varieties suited to urban environments and have only selected small or medium size canopy trees with narrow canopy shapes to reduce overhanging branches, shading and obstruction of views. Leaf shape/attractiveness and size, fruit, flowering / colours and potential for future root disturbance of footways have all been considered.

Prunus amanogowa has a narrow upright shape with stunning white flowers

Acers have striking autumn colours

Vibrant 'Paul's scarlet' hawthorn flowers attract pollinators

In parks or wider open spaces, we have selected trees with the potential to grow large canopies because they will deliver the greatest long-term benefits to people and wildlife.

Biodiversity and long-term resilience

Devastation caused by Ash dieback disease and Dutch elm disease have taught us that it is important to create long term resistance against pests and diseases. This means planting a broad selection of tree species (biodiversity) and avoiding planting a small selection of the same trees everywhere which makes the wider tree population more vulnerable to pest and disease attack.

Please note that Urban tree planting is challenging and there are some things that may change the position or number of trees that can be planted. This will mainly be due to the location of underground services which are not always clear until a hole has been excavated.