The Parish Tree Scheme has been
co-ordinated and funded by Suffolk Coastal since the late
1970s with trees and hedging improving the quality of the
parishes and villages. Trees and hedging are provided for
private and public land.
Over the last twenty years this scheme has made marked impact on
the rural environment. Many semi-mature oaks and hedges along the
lanes can be attributed to the scheme and the hard work of locals
and landowners.
A small financial contribution is requested from parishes to
help with the cost of the scheme. This includes planting guards
where needed. The parish council is responsible for co-ordinating
the application form, collection, planting and maintenance of all
plantings.
Suffolk Coastal cannot assist private individuals to comply with
planning requirements to plant trees or hedges in relation to new
developments.
Choosing a site
There will be many sites in the parish that will benefit from
planting. Priority will be given to sites which are part of an
overall plan to enhance a village or parish. Projects may
include:
- Restoring gaps in hedgerows.
- Planting new hedgerows and trees on farmland or parish
land.
- Planting trees in gardens where they will contribute to the
landscape of the parish.
- Copses, tree belts or small woodlands.
- Churchyards, cemeteries and historic parkland.
- Commemorative tree planting on village greens and public
spaces.
Factors to consider:
- Planting as it matures should be visible to the community from
public areas.
- Overhead and underground services should not be affected.
- Site where planting may damage their high nature conservation
value should not be chosen, e.g: Heath, grassland, verges and
archaeological sites.
Applications for trees
Once a project has been selected please fill in the details of
the site and the species that you wish to plant on the application
form. Private individuals interested in the scheme should contact
their parish clerk to discuss their proposals. The scheme will be
assessed by our landscape officer with the tree warden or other
parish representative. We will give as much advice as possible on
the choice and location of species.
Planting
The planting is often undertaken by enthusiastic parishioners,
community groups, adults and children, in order to encourage as
much local involvement as possible. The planting and subsequent
maintenance of the trees should be co-ordinated by the tree warden
or parish representative or undertaken by the landowner.
Species available
Most species supplied under the Parish Tree Scheme will be
native to Britain and occurring within the district. This is to
ensure that the natural quality of the landscape and biodiversity
of the parish is maintained and enhanced. Occasionally, a special
tree such as a Giant Redwood may be provided for planting within a
churchyard or cemetery.
Where new woodland planting is required on a larger scale there
are grants available from the Forestry Commission (new
window).
Making an application
Follow this link to download or print
off an application form (new window PDF 169KB).
Please return completed applications to:
Suffolk Coastal District Council, Melton Hill,
Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1AU.
For more information please contact the countryside and
open space team on 01394 444557 or email
communityandeconomic@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk.
The information contained on these webpages is also
available in a leaflet (new window PDF
132KB).
Follow this link for help with downloading and opening PDF
files.