Planting and Aftercare Methodology

PLANTING & AFTERCARE METHODOLOGY NEW DWELLING AT CRONK VANE, STONEY MOUNTAIN ROAD, FOXDALE, IM4 3HJ REF: PA 22/00458/B Soil amelioration

• • All building materials and unwanted vegetation shall be removed from the planting area.
• • If required, the remaining soil shall be broken-up to a depth of 500mm to alleviate soil compaction and surface crusting before new ‘top-soil’ is introduced to the planting area to achieve the desired final level.
• • The topsoil used shall not be processed compost. It shall be a mildly acidic, sandy loam which is typically found and naturally occurring on the Island.
• • The planting area shall then be gently compacted by hand (foot) only and allowed to settle for seven days prior to planting to avoid poor settlement. Tree planting method for standard trees.
• • Trees shall be planted between the months of November and February following completion of construction activities close to the planting area.
• • Tree planting shall be carried out in such a way that the trees have adequate protection, support, and water. The method for successful planting is as follows:
• • Standard tree pits shall have a diameter at least 75 mm greater than that of the root system or container.
• • The sides of each planting pit shall be forked prior to inserting the tree (except for notch planting where this is not possible) to avoid smearing.
• • The tree support system for standard trees shall consist of one or two wooden tree stakes, driven (prior to inserting the tree) into the base of each pit, along with one or two tree-ties or a cross bar and tree-tie construction.
• • The root systems of the new trees shall be wetted prior to planting.
• • The trees shall be planted at the correct depth taking into account the position of the root flare/nursery line and the finished level.
• • When back-filling the planting pit, the soil shall be gently heeled-in to prevent air pockets. Allowance must be made for the settling of the soil after planting.
• • Immediately after planting, each tree pit shall be thoroughly watered.
• • Where possible, the lower stem shall be protected with a Tubex strimmer guard, spiral guard, or tree shelter (depending on which is specified for individual planting recommendations).
• • A layer of mulch around 10cm deep covering 1m2 around can be applied around the base of each standard tree after planting to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture until trees are established. Mulch may also be used to surround whips where the weed competition is likely to be high.
• • The new trees shall be checked monthly for the first two years to identify the need to adjust support systems, replenish mulch and/or replace failures.

• • Tree support systems shall be removed once the trees are deemed to be established.
• • Whips shall be planted using a standard notch planting method and each tree protected with a tree shelter supported with a single wooden stake. Irrigation / watering
• • The new trees shall be watered once per week between the months of March and October for the first two growing seasons during periods of hotter and/or drier than typical weather – i.e. less-thannormal rainfall.
• • Watering shall ensure the growing media (soil) around the tree is saturated but not waterlogged. Formative Pruning
• • Formative pruning shall be carried out according to a set maintenance plan for at least the first 3-5 years after planting.
• • Formative pruning of trees shall continue until a permanent structurally sound scaffold system of branches typical of the species and appropriate to the site circumstances is produced.
• • Care shall be taken to prune out all broken branches, tight/weak forks, co-dominant stems and weak crossing branches where these develop in the canopy of the tree.
• • When pruning branches, care shall be taken to retain the branch collar.
• • Where possible, prune to an outward facing bud.
• • Care shall be taken not to damage buds when pruning.
• • Internodal pruning shall be avoided.
• • Pruning shall be carried out at the correct time of year as dictated by the species (avoid pruning early Spring).
• • Tree shelters / guards shall be removed from trees as soon as established. Maintenance and aftercare
• • A formal assessment of young tree health and development shall be carried out annually
• • This assessment shall include foliar appearance, leaf size development and leaf canopy density, extension growth and incremental girth development of the stem.
• • Special attention shall be paid to symptoms of leaf necrosis or chlorosis resulting from pest or disease or nutrient/moisture deficiency.
• • Tree support systems shall be checked annually to ensure that the root system remains secure and that there is no damage to tree stems or branches as a result of rubbing or constriction.
• • All stakes and ties shall be removed as soon as the developing root system is strong enough to support the tree.
• • Stem guards shall not be removed unless they are causing damage to the tree or have perished.
• • The area around the base of the trees shall be kept free from competing vegetation (grass and weed growth) for a period of 3-5 years in order that a healthy root system may develop.

• • All mulches shall be replenished to their original depth each year (50 - 100mm) and weeds removed from the area of crown spread.
• • Wherever possible any area of mulch should be enlarged to the drip line as the tree develops taking care to keep mulch away from the root flare and the base of the stems.
• • The soil around the newly planted trees shall be regularly inspected for soil capping or compaction. Decompaction and aeration shall be undertaken as necessary.
• • The trees shall be checked annually for mammal, human and other external damage (e.g. strimmer damage). Where damage has occurred, remedial action shall be implemented as soon as reasonably practicable.
• • The trees shall be checked annually for pests and diseases. Any required remedial action shall be taken promptly.
• • Any tree failures shall be replaced in the following dormant season (October – March).

THIS PLANTING & AFTERCARE METHODOLOGY SCHEDULE IS TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH DRAWING NO: 4E, JOB NO: WL/22/1547 PREPARED BY KELLY-LEWTHWAITE BUILDING DESIGN LTD

DATE: 29-3-23