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Trafford Design Code

Trees

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Landscape and Nature

Trees

Introduction

There is a strong desire to increase the quality of the treescape across the Borough.

 

This will be achieved by valuing and maintaining existing trees and delivering a significant new generation of tree planting.

 

The importance of trees

This can be assessed at many levels, fundamentally they are the primary ingredient of all landscapes and help to improve streets, boundaries, parks, gardens, suburban edges, fields and woodland.

 

The value of trees occurs through:

  • Structuring the landscape and underpinning a sense of place
  • Being a primary biodiversity habitat
  • Carbon sequestration
  • Shading and cooling
  • Limiting exposure and wind impact
  • Reducing water run-off and flooding potential
  • Screening, filtering and/or framing views
  • Providing a positive sensory contribution and improving mental health
  • Creating attractive landscapes which brings about increased land values

Codes in this Section

Code

The right tree

The right place

Planted in the right way

Planting in hard trafficked areas

Maintained correctly

How many trees do I provide?

Compliance requirements

LNL 1

Trees

The right tree

The right trees should be planted in the right place and in the right way, and maintained correctly.

 

The following information is provided with the benefit of a longstanding knowledge of the local climate and soil conditions and of how to successfully establish the right type of trees within the Borough.

 

Wherever there is opportunity for a larger tree species, it should be taken. There will be more opportunity to deliver smaller specimens, but a mix, including a range of sizes is essential for structural and species diversity.

 

This section gives some key species information and some design parameters for achieving successful tree planting across the range of environments/situations in Trafford.

 

The information set out is proven and will help to achieve successful tree planting for Trafford. It is not intended to stifle innovation or variety. However, where there is a departure from the information set out herein, this should be justified by a Landscape Architect or Arboriculturalist.

Species selection

There are widely recognised ecological and place-making benefits for planting native species trees within both urban and rural landscapes. Nonetheless, with a changing climate and when considering the response of some trees to planting in highly urbanised environments, suitable, non-native trees will also be welcomed.

 

Although deciduous trees will form the majority of tree species within planting schemes, it is important to have a mix of both deciduous and evergreen tree species to ensure structural and ecological diversity.

Street Trees and tree planting within hard surfaces are particularly difficult to successfully establish and control to avoid disruption to the associated hardscape. Specialist input should be sought in these situations. These are identified separately.

Woodland Trees should be a mix of native species. Other sources of information (e.g. The Woodland Trust) can be consulted for appropriate mixes, specific to Trafford Borough.

The following table identifies a number of largely native species trees that are considered suitable for the Borough. This is not an exhaustive list and other species will be welcomed. However, they will need to be justified through supporting information. Expert advice should be sought.

 

The tables that follow provide details of:

  • Ultimate size of each tree – (Large, Medium of Small)
  • Whether the tree is deciduous or coniferous
  • Suitability of the tree for different types of soils

Large Trees

By virtue of ultimate height and/or canopy spread. In a woodland context, they will dominate the upper canopy and in an urban setting they will become the most significant natural features.

Deciduous

Tree (inc. Latin Name)

Soil Type

Clay

Loamy

Sandy

English Oak (Quercus robur)

Y

Y

Y

Common Beech (Fagus sylvatica)

N

Y

Y

Common Lime Tree (Tilia x europaea)

Y

Y

Y

Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)

Y

Y

Y

Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa)

N

Y

Y

Birch (Betula)

Y

Y

Y

Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)

Y

Y

Y

London Plane (Platanus x hispanica)

Y

Y

Y

Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)

N

Y

Y

Willow (Salix)

Y

Y

Y

Coniferous

Tree (inc. Latin Name)

Soil Type

Clay

Loamy

Sandy

Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris)

Y

Y

Y

European Larch (Larix decidua)

Y

Y

Y

Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra)

Y

Y

Y

Spruce (Picea)

Y

Y

Y

Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)

Y

Y

Y

Cedar (Cedrus libani)

Y

Y

Y

Medium Trees

Trees with a mid-height stature and/or canopy spread. These trees have the ability to give structure in a tight urban landscape and can appear large at the human scale.

Deciduous

Tree (inc. Latin Name)

Soil Type

Clay

Loamy

Sandy

Wild Cherry (Prunus avium)

Y

Y

Y

Bird Cherry (Prunus padus)

Y

Y

Y

Field Maple (Acer campestre)

Y

Y

Y

Common Whitebeam (Sorbus aria)

Y

Y

Y

Alders (Alnus)

Y

Y

Y

Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’)

Y

Y

Y

Coniferous

Tree (inc. Latin Name)

Soil Type

Clay

Loamy

Sandy

Yew (Taxus bacatta)

Y

Y

Y

White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis)

Y

Y

Y

Small Trees

Trees with a smaller height structure and/or canopy spread. These trees can be introduced in tight, urban situations. They may be chosen for their decorative or biodiverse qualities. They are generally the shortest-lived.

Deciduous

Tree (inc. Latin Name)

Soil Type

Clay

Loamy

Sandy

Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)

N

Y

Y

Ornamental Cherries (Prunus)

N

Y

Y

Holly (Ilex aquifolium)

N

Y

Y

Hawthorn (Crataegus)

Y

Y

Y

Apples & Crab Apples (Malus)

N

Y

Y

Hazel (Corylus avellana)

N

Y

Y

Coniferous

Tree (inc. Latin Name)

Soil Type

Clay

Loamy

Sandy

Irish Yew (Taxus bacatta ‘Hibernica’)

Y

Y

Y

Street Trees

Trees that would best suit planting within hard areas. The following species are considered appropriate for street tree planting within Trafford due to their form and appearance, their ability to withstand more constrained environments and tolerate pollutants, and which do not tend to cause root damage problems if planted correctly.

 

The following is not an exhaustive list and the list will vary with time, subject to availability and new species becoming available and suitable.

 

All require special tree pit and engineering solutions to ensure the best possible ground conditions are achieved and to give the trees the best possible chance of thriving.

Deciduous

Trees (inc. Latin Name)

Soil Type

Clay

Loamy

Sandy

Large Trees

Common Lime (Tilia x europaea)

Y

Y

Y

Small Leafed Lime (Tilia cordata)

Y

Y

Y

Maple (Acer campestre ‘Elegant’)

Y

Y

Y

Platanus x acerifolia / hispanica (London Plane)

Y

Y

Y

Medium Trees

Pear (Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’)

Y

Y

Y

Turkish Hazel (Corylus colurna)

N

Y

Y

Broad leaved cockspur (Crataegus prunifolia)

Y

Y

Y

Fastigiate Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera fastigiata)

Y

Y

Y

Norway Maple ‘columnare’ (Acer platanoides ‘Columnare’)

Y

Y

Y

Small Trees

Birch (Betula pendula fastigiata ‘Obelisk’)

Y

Y

Y

Upright Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus ‘Frans Fontaine’)

Y

Y

Y

Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo biloba ‘Princeton Sentry’)

Y

Y

Y

Upright Pin Oak (Quercus palustris ‘Green Pillar’)

Y

Y

Y

Street trees must be adequately spaced to give them the best opportunity to thrive.

 

Spacing of street trees will naturally vary by size and the effect sought. Nonetheless, as a rule of thumb, each street tree, whether planted in a grass verge or a generous paved area should be planted between 12m and 20m apart from the next tree.

The right place

It is imperative that the right tree is located in the right place, to avoid proximity issues/ amenity concerns and to give the right tree the space needed to thrive.

 

In urban situations, where space is often limited, any opportunity to plant a large tree should be seized. Large species trees best complement large buildings and therefore create an environment where nature can shine.

 

This Design Code is seeking to achieve the best outcomes, and if foundation adjustments are required to accommodate specific trees, this should be factored into any new-build design process, and should not be at the expense of achieving the best possible tree in a given location.

 

The category of tree size can be used to assess a suitable minimum planting distance from buildings or significant structures. Note, there will always be a technical solution for accommodating the engineering solutions that come when considering root growth and soil type. When planting near to a building, wall or other structure, root barriers may be required and expert advice should be sought.

Principles

Large Trees can be planted a minimum of 10m from a building or structure.

Medium trees can be planted a minimum of 6m from a building or structure.

Small trees can be planted a minimum of 3m away from a building or structure.

Placed in the right way

Creating the right planting conditions for the right tree in the right place is essential for its successful establishment, its ongoing health, form, and its longevity.

 

Whilst there are site-specific variations and also bespoke solutions for the successful establishment of new trees, the following information needs to be detailed within the submitted Landscape Layout Plans to demonstrate that the proposed trees can be successfully delivered and will be long-lasting.

 

The information set out below is specific to planting in open, unobstructed ground. Any trees planted in areas of limited open ground (e.g. verges) or within hardstanding will need bespoke specifications and tree pit details provided by a suitably qualified Landscape specialist

Size

Girth

Pit Size

Pit Depth

Standard

8-12cm

900 x 900mm

700mm

Extra Heavy

12-18cm

1200 x 1200mm

800mm

Semi Mature

18-25cm

1500 x 1500mm

1000mm

Specimens

25cm+

2000 x 2000mm

1000mm

Source: Barnes Walker

Principles

  • Positive drainage of tree pits is essential – to ensure water can get away and avoid killing the tree.
  • Positive irrigation (guaranteed watering/feeding) is required for the first 3 years otherwise trees are likely to die.
  • All trees from standard sized trees upwards will require adequate tree staking.
  • Safeguarding from animals, vehicles and/or vandalism will be required where necessary.

Planting in hard trafficked areas

For trees to survive, the roots need access to water and oxygen. It is imperative that the ground does not become too compacted as this will starve the tree of these essential elements.

 

To give trees that are planted in hard areas where their eventual rooting area will be subject to load bearing impacts  (e.g. street trees or trees within a car park), the best opportunity to thrive and grow, specialist engineering solutions will be required. This could involve special structural cell-type systems set within larger tree pits below the surface. In such situations, expert advice should be sought early in the design process and appropriate solutions provided.

 

Wherever possible, the opportunity to introduce sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) as an integral part of urban tree pits should be seized. Such multi-purpose tree pit design solutions are available.

Golden rules of tree planting

  • Know the soils and therefore choose the correct trees
  • Consider off-site constraints so that the tree can thrive and does not become a nuisance
  • Ensure sufficient soil volume is provided for each species
  • Think about tree pit design and solutions from the outset
  • Make sure that there is adequate drainage
  • Make sure there is a local water supply for irrigation
  • Allow for good quality care after planting (min. 3 years)
  • Know where existing services are from the outset. Proposed services should respect tree locations
  • Establish the best conditions in all scenarios to give trees the best possible chance to thrive

Maintained correctly

Any tree can die if not maintained correctly.

 

There is a duty of care, the responsibility for which needs to be made clear at the time of planting, to ensure success. Planning conditions will require maintenance and care and/or replacement planting for a minimum period of 15 years following initial planting. Responsibility for this should be established at the outset.

 

Tree planting does require specialist knowledge and any bespoke solution needs justifying by a suitably qualified Landscape specialist through the planning application process.

Principles of successful maintenance

Successful maintenance will involve:

 

  • Watering
  • Weeding and mulching around the base
  • Checking for security / staking
  • Safeguarding from livestock or rabbits, humans (vandalism)

How many trees do I need to provide?

Applicants should seek to maximise the number of trees on a development site.  Where spaces allow, applicants should provide a net gain in the number of trees.  Trees must be planted in accordance with the guidance set out in this Chapter ensuring that the right tree is planted in the right place, in the right way and maintained correctly.

 

Where applicants have robustly justified that it is not technically feasible (arboriculturally) to deliver a net gain of on-site tree planting, contributions will be sought to provide off-site tree planting.

What is the minimum size required?

Street trees

Extra heavy standard

Public facing trees

Heavy standard

Private facing trees

Standard

Rules of tree provision

  • Applicants should provide a net increase of three trees per dwellinghouse.  Where feasible one tree should be provided to the front of a dwellinghouse and two to the rear.   
  • Apartments should provide one tree per unit. 
  • Street trees are subject to a formula of 0.5 no. street trees per new dwelling.

Compliance requirements

All planning applications covered by the Trafford Design Code must be accompanied by sufficient information that details:

 

  • Tree species
  • Tree positions and quantum
  • Tree sizes and ultimate canopy spread
  • Requisite rooting area or volume
  • Details of tree pit size – appropriate for species
  • Existing and proposed utility and services plan demonstrating relationship with existing and proposed trees
  • Planting method statement
  • Maintenance regime – defining the how, the who and the what
  • Soil type – analysis report following best practice and utilising a spread of samples across a site
  • Arboricultural Impact Assessment and Arboricultural Method Statement

Trees case studies

Hortham Village

Hortham Village by Barratt Homes The Hortham Village demonstrates how to create a place by simply retaining a large amount of existing landscape within the

Read More »
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