Executive Summary

Trees and woodland provide significant benefits to people, nature, and the environment. Ensuring that there are enough trees, in the right locations, providing the functions and services that we need, is more important now than ever before.

Climate change, biodiversity loss, population changes, pressure on food systems, and the factors that drive these all represent potential threats to trees. However, trees can also help us to meet these challenges. In order to create liveable, productive, resilient, and beautiful places for people and nature, we need trees.

This document sets out a long-term vision for the future of the treescape and explores what the Council's role should be in delivery. It has been based on a detailed review; study of the existing tree population; and consultation with a range of stakeholders.

The local authority area covers 14,295ha with a varied pattern of land use. There is approximately 1,528ha of tree canopy cover, describes by this document as the 'treescape'. This includes trees growing on both public and privately owned land. Preston City Council manages approximately 8% of the land, and 17.8% of the trees.

Canopy cover for the area is 10.7%, which is significantly below average. The current treescape falls short of what should be considered 'fit for purpose' in terms of delivering biodiversity, amenity, recreation, ecosystem services, food production and carbon sequestration. Tree cover is also unevenly distributed.

There is widespread and growing appreciation of the environmental, biodiversity, health, and economic benefits associated with trees and a desire for more tree planting. There are also significant opportunities to modernise systems, tools and processes to improve tree management.

The vision is a treescape that is sustainable; resilient; and beneficial to people, nature, and the environment. It should be stable, suitable, well-managed, appropriately resourced, maintained or enhanced over time, and understood. It should be in good condition, without significant or systemic weaknesses, prepared for foreseeable threats and challenges, and valued. It should deliver goods and services, be useful, and add value.

Progress towards this vision should be measured against five indicators: canopy cover; the composition of the treescape; accessibility and benefits; biodiversity; and ecosystem services. These should each be increasing or improving.

Five strategic objectives have been identified: tree risk management; tree works delivery; planning and development; tree planting; and resources and governance. These are areas which present the greatest need or opportunity for positive change.

The Council will work towards the overall vision by prioritising and focussing on these.

An overall approach to each strategic objective is set out, and actions have been identified. Some actions may require further detail before they can be implemented.

This document is not intended to be prescriptive in terms of solutions but identify the areas of need and opportunity, and establish a coherent strategy for action.