Putting down roots in North Hykeham: Tree planting complete at Belton Park Drive

Local residents, pupils from Manor Leas Junior Academy, local Scouts, volunteer council staff and volunteers engaged in nature conservation groups, all participated at the council-owned land near Belton Park Drive.

Site preparation, fencing and oversight of the planting were all undertaken by experts from Hill Holt Wood, the Council’s contract partners for the CountrysideNK service. They will continue to care for the trees during their early establishment period.

The planting site is approximately 20% of a 5,300m2 area of grassland bordered by residential properties and farmland, where existing footpaths have been protected to ensure continued public access and enjoyment of the space.

Around 4,500 trees have been planted - all native species including hazel, holly, wayfaring tree, dogwood, beech, oak, and elderberry.

The trees have been planted using the Miyawaki planting method which involves densely planting a large variety of native trees in layers – from ground cover to canopy – to mimic natural forest ecosystems.

Councillor Richard Wright, Leader at North Kesteven District Council, said: “This planting is an ideal scheme to bring nature right up to an urban area, in a space that has limited use. It's a great place to grow these trees, where they can be seen and enjoyed by residents, as well as the wildlife they’ll attract.

“It’s part of our council strategy to plant as many trees as we can – our target originally was 5,000 trees, which we’ve now surpassed. Trees have a positive impact on the environment, that multiplies as they grow to maturity, adding to biodiversity and helping sequester carbon.

“These trees were funded by a national scheme from the Tree Council and DEFRA, and hopefully what we'll see in a few years’ time is a mature woodland for people to enjoy.”

Gavin Warhurst, Head of External Contracts at Hill Holt Wood, said: “By adopting the Miyawaki process for the first time in North Kesteven, we’ve planted these trees closer together than we would normally, and that is to encourage them to root quickly and compete for light, springing upwards towards the light. And we anticipate a significantly higher survival rate than through a more traditional system.

“4,500 trees in such a small area is quite unusual, but the method is growing in popularity. One of the advantages of planting like this, with a simple fence around the outside, is that we can keep predators away so that the trees won't be damaged. It all helps the trees to establish faster and accelerate them towards becoming more like a natural woodland.”

Hannah McFaul, Sustainability Lead and outdoor learning teacher at Manor Leas Junior Academy, said: “We’re really pleased to have been able to support NKDC with the tree planting project.

“We take climate action really seriously at Manor Leas and it’s really great to contribute to this initiative, making a difference for the community’s future climate resilience.”

NKDC successfully secured grant support from the Tree Council’s and DEFRA’s Trees Outside Woodland (TOW) Fund to trial this method on its land due to its numerous benefits, including high biodiversity and lower maintenance, and therefore hopefully reducing long-term upkeep costs. You can find out more about The Tree Council’s TOW Fund at www.treecouncil.org.uk/grants-and-guidance/our-grants/trees-outside-woodland-fund/

As this community coppice becomes established, the site should become home to a wide variety of wildlife and plant species, which will be given the chance to thrive in a protected space. Pollinators, insects and birds are expected to make the site home.

You can find out more as the project on the Council’s Tree Planting Projects webpage at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/climate-change/natural-environment/tree-planting-projects. The Council hopes to conduct more tree planting in the future and has projects in the pipeline.