Tree planting

Planting trees or hedgerow in Central Bedfordshire – your guide

Where to plant

While trees are a great way of supporting nature, we do need to ensure we don’t plant in places that aren’t suitable or where we don’t have permission.

Some areas already have natural regeneration occurring or valuable habitats with trees that should be retained. Consider the connectivity of your planting project and current green areas; where possible, it’s best to create wildlife corridors.

You should only plant trees once you have the landowner’s permission.

Get in touch with us at begreen@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk if you want to plant on our land or need advice, or contact your town or parish council where appropriate.

Protections and designations

Some areas of land have special protections or designations due to their existing wildlife or archaeology. Planting in these areas may be against the law. You should not plant trees on archaeological sites, places with rare or protected species, grassland that has never been ploughed, wetlands, or heathland. To find out if the area you want to plant has any of these, you can consult your county archaeologist for advice or check online: Magic Map Application (defra.gov.uk).

National designations

Historic England

Check your local Biodiversity Records Centre for local designations, such as local wildlife sites.

Choosing the right place

As trees grow, they can sometimes interfere with utilities and cabling. It is best to avoid planting over shallow underground services or beneath overhead wires. Where this is not possible, consider planting smaller species that are less likely to cause issues.

If possible, avoid planting too close to land boundaries. Tree roots and canopies can spread some distance away from where they are planted and can sometimes negatively affect neighbouring land. Find out how big different trees can grow on the Woodlands Trust website.

Find out what type of soil you have. This will help you decide what type of tree would grow best. Avoid planting on peaty soils. Find out which soil types are in your area on the Soilscapes website.

Getting permission

You can plant on your own private land but should always seek permission from the landowner if you want to plant elsewhere.

You should only plant trees once you have the landowner’s permission, and you may need an Environmental Impact Assessment from the Forestry Commission.

For schools and community groups thinking about planting, contact our BeGreen team to ensure planting projects are in a suitable location and the right species are used.

Email begreen@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk if you want to plant on our land or need advice.

The Greensands Trust

We support The Greensand Trust, which offers a range of community planting days, educational sessions, and tree sponsorship opportunities. In winter 2022, two community planting days led by The Greensand Trust resulted in 2,350 trees planted.

Find out more about The Greensand Trust.

Forest of Marston Vale

We support the Forest of Marston Vale Trust, which has worked hard over the years to deliver a community forest project and has planted over 2 million trees. It will be holding planting events and giving free trees to residents of the Forest of Marston Vale to plant in private gardens or on their own land.

Find out if you are within the Marston Vale area.

Space needed

The space needed depends on the size of the tree planted and how much it will grow. Think about whether the tree has an upright canopy or a spread canopy.

Consider whether your newly planted trees will be too shaded by existing trees. Planting away from them will give new trees a good chance of survival.

Trees need space for their roots and watering, so be generous. Trees can overcome disease or other difficulties if they have the right conditions.

Trees: Plant 2m to 4m apart (woodland setting: 3m to 4m preferable). Rather than a regimented line of trees, try creating a slightly scattered row of trees for a natural look.

Hedgerow plants: Plant 4 to 5 per metre, staggering in a double row rather than a single row, which is better for wildlife. Leave at least 40cm between each row.

Choosing what to plant

Choosing which tree or hedge to plant depends on the type of soil and surroundings you have, but in most woodland settings, you should try to plant native species. In new woodland or urban settings, non-native species can work, and the more flowers for pollinating species, the better!

Examples include:

  • in chalky soil: beech, hawthorn, common oak, large-leaved lime, bird cherry, yew, field maple, hazel, or wayfaring tree
  • in clay soil: hawthorn, birch, crab apple, wild cherry, or dogwood
  • in peat: avoid planting

Check the Woodland Trust guide to trees.

You will most likely want to plant juvenile trees or saplings, as they establish easier, are cheaper, and are easy to transport. These come in two types:

  • Whips: Normally 100 to 125cm (although may be smaller)
  • Feathered or feathered whip: Approximately 175 to 250cm tall

Getting trees to plant and carry out tree giveaways

Free trees for certain groups and where to buy

Our tree grant is aimed at delivering tree and hedge planting schemes across Central Bedfordshire to increase biodiversity, offset carbon, and support the improvement of green infrastructure in the area.

Town and parish councils, local voluntary and community organisations, schools, and other groups can apply for funding (or match funding). Projects can vary in size, from a minimum of five trees upwards to larger areas of new woodland.

You can use the tree grant to apply for funds to carry out your own community ‘tree giveaways’.

Other ways to get trees to plant

The Woodland Trust may provide free trees for certain community groups and schools. If you are not eligible for this scheme, the Woodland Trust also has a wide range of trees available to buy.

The Forest of Marston Vale Trust will be holding planting events and giving free trees to residents of the Forest of Marston Vale to plant in gardens or on their own land.

The Greensand Trust offers community planting days, educational sessions, and tree sponsorship opportunities.

When purchasing trees, choose a reputable nursery or garden centre. This will help to ensure they are free from pests or diseases, which could spread to nearby trees. Plant passports should ensure that plants are free of pests and diseases.

There are also various schemes and grants available if you would like to do some larger-scale planting, including:

How to plant a tree or hedgerow

The tree planting season broadly runs from November to March, so you should aim to complete your planting during these months.

Simple steps:

  • mark out the location of your trees or hedgerow planting, considering the space needed (see space needed section above), and make sure you remove the turf or immediate vegetation (1m radius) to make planting easier and help trees establish
  • dig holes deep enough to allow all the roots to be buried, then backfill the hole, pressing down the soil firmly around the plant (you can pre-dig holes beforehand if children are helping to plant)
  • pop a cane in next to the tree a few centimetres away, and add your tree guard around the tree and the cane. Push the guard down into the ground until secure

Further information on how to plant a tree is on the Woodland Trust website.

Equipment

Be prepared; you will need:

  • spades
  • mower/secateurs to cut back vegetation
  • gardening gloves
  • water: water your trees well once they are in the ground
  • tree guards and canes: these help to support the tree and keep wildlife off so plants can establish themselves. We recommend biodegradable tree guards

Caring for trees

A high proportion of trees that are planted may not survive without some looking after.

Following these steps in the weeks and months after planting should help to keep your trees in excellent health into spring and beyond:

  • is it alive? If there are no leaves, look for green under the bark of twigs (scrape the surface with a fingernail or knife) and living buds. Fill in any gaps in the soil around the roots and use a foot to pat down the new soil. If the soil is waterlogged, channel and drain the excess away from the tree. Look for key tree pests and diseases on the Woodland Trust website
  • keep trees well-watered. Trees often need a little help staying hydrated for the first few years of their lives. This can be even more important if you experience a frost
  • check your guards, as these are intended to stop animals from damaging young trees by eating the shoots and leaves or stripping the bark. Check the guards in spring and autumn to ensure they are effective (no bark missing or twigs bitten or broken off) and not rubbing or cutting into the tree. If a guard is inadequate, add more protection, e.g. a taller tube to protect against deer, or fencing to keep off cows and other farm animals
  • check your stakes. In the first year of planting, you can stake your tree to reduce the chance of breakage from strong winds. When you tie the tree to the stake, leave room for the trunk to move and sway to encourage strong trunk growth. Check on the stake and the tie. It should allow the tree to sway, without rubbing on the stake and tie. Does the tree still need a stake? Check this in spring by releasing the tie, and if the tree stays upright, remove the stake. If the tree leans and the roots move, re-tie it to a shortened stake
  • consider the size of animals that will be a threat to your trees and use guards and stakes of appropriate heights
  • remove the stakes, guards, and straps once they have done their job in protecting the tree. A lot of newly planted trees that have been established can be damaged by these if they are not removed at an appropriate time
  • clear away weeds and pull up or mow any grass carefully to avoid root damage, for a radius of at least half a metre around the stem. After planting and for the next few years, you should check the tree in March or April to see how it is getting on