Vision for the treescape
Trees should be increasingly recognised as fundamental to the Council 's overarching objectives including creating high quality places for people to live, work, and visit; keeping people healthy and safe; protecting nature and the environment; and careful stewardship of public resources.
By gathering information about the treescape today, a local picture has emerged that reflects both the challenges facing the treescape, and priorities for the future.
This vision is set out within the section below. It has broad support both within and outside the Council, and it is compatible with or supportive of other important priorities. It builds on what we have and what we know right now, and in this way the level of ambition and detail is tailored to ensure that the vision is realistic and deliverable.
This vision is described in terms of a 'direction of travel', that is measured against indicators that are locally relevant. In general, fixed targets are not used. Partly, this is intended to allow multilateral support with some flexibility in application. Whereas, in some instances this approach reflects gaps in current knowledge that should be filled over time.
The vision speaks to a local area and a point in time. It may be refined or evolve in the future as needs and resources change. However, it is not likely that the vision will be fully delivered or cease to be relevant within the timeframe of this strategy. The objectives and actions that should be pursued are likely to change more frequently, and will vary between different organisations or individuals seeking to 'do their bit' in support of the overall vision.
The role of Preston City Council is explored at the end of this section and set out in more detail in the remainder of this strategy. Other councils, organisations, groups and individuals are invited to adopt, whether formally or informally, this vision and explore what contribution they can make.
The treescape
The vision is a treescape that is sustainable, resilient, and beneficial to people, nature, and the environment.
A sustainable treescape is stable, suitable, well-managed, appropriately resourced, can be maintained or enhanced over time, and is understood.
A resilient treescape is in good condition, does not have significant or systemic weaknesses, is prepared for foreseeable threats or challenges, and is valued.
A beneficial treescape is delivering goods and services, it is useful, and it adds value. It serves people, nature, and the environment. It supports and links these three in a way that is additive, not exclusive1
1 - Tree management decisions should be taken to balance benefits delivered to people, nature, and the environment. None of these should be prioritised at the expense of the others. Trees should not be chosen, planted or removed to satisfy preferences that would do harm to nature or the environment; habitats should not be enhanced or created where this would significantly reduce environmental benefits or amenity; and useful environmental functions like carbon sequestration should not be pursued at all costs without considering the needs of people and nature.
(i) - People benefit from beauty, health and wellbeing, recreation, economic, cultural, and amenity benefits. They value and enjoy the treescape and it is prioritised. This benefits Nature and the Environment.
(ii) - Nature benefits from habitat provision and connectivity, better tree management practices, stronger protection, and cultural shifts. Wildlife flourishes and is more accessible, benefitting people and ecosystem services.
(iii) - The Environment benefits from services provided by trees. Trees improve or regulate the air, water, and soil, and they mitigate extreme weather. Places where people and nature live are protected, enhanced, and integrated together, to mutual benefit.
Indicators of progress towards the vision
The vision is a description of a future that is aspirational. In order to chart progress towards this scenario, it can be expressed in terms of five indicators.
- Canopy cover is increasing
- The composition of the treescape is improving
- Benefits provided by trees are increasingly accessible
- The biodiversity supported by the treescape is increasing
- Ecosystem services provided by trees are increasing
These indicators should be used as a 'litmus test' for decisions, policies and action by any party that is working in support of the overall vision. Any action that runs contrary to these indicators is less likely to be compatible with the vision, whereas actions that support one or more of these indicators are more likely to be aligned to the organising principles of the vision.
These indicators can also be used by the Council and other organisations to monitor progress and determine whether the vision is being delivered effectively. Each organisation should develop its own approach to monitoring, according to its own needs and resources. What is meant by these indicators, more detail on what they include, and some ways they could be monitored are set out below.
Canopy cover
Canopy cover is the total area of land, expressed as a percentage, which is beneath the leaves, twigs, and branches of trees. Since many of the benefits that trees provide are linked to canopy volume, canopy cover is a reasonable and useful proxy for all other benefits provided by trees.
Subject to the principle of 'right tree right place', canopy cover is a good primary indicator of progress, and it is also easy to measure and monitor. It is therefore included here as the foremost indicator and a core organising principle for the tree strategy.
Table 1 - Canopy Cover: where are we now?
| We know... | We think... |
|---|---|
| ...canopy cover in this area is very low compared to other areas across the UK | ...there is significant scope for increase in tree canopy cover without harming other objectives for land use |
| ...research, national policy, and industry standards promote a higher level of canopy cover, and/or increasing canopy cover | ...there is widespread and growing support for significant increases in canopy cover, provided it is delivered in suitable locations |
| ...there are emerging threats and weaknesses in the tree population that could reduce canopy cover without intervention | ...the level of canopy cover that is regarded as desirable or suitable will increase because of climate change |
How should we measure progress?
At any future point, do the following statements describe the current situation?
Table 2 - Canopy Cover: where are we going?
| Indicators of progress |
|---|
| Canopy cover can be shown to be increasing, using a robust and replicable methodology. |
| A model of the capacity for increased canopy cover has been developed and thereafter embedded in the way this indicator is evaluated. |
| A target has been set for canopy cover and thereafter embedded in the way this indicator is evaluated. |
| Preservation of existing tree canopy is prioritised, including through improvements to the diversity and resilience of the tree population, protection of existing trees, and management decisions. |
| Pathways for the delivery of new tree planting has been developed for all use cases and shared widely, including mechanisms for offsetting tree removal by planting. |
| Increasing canopy cover has been firmly embedded as a principle in the development of all other policy, procedure, and in management activity, development, and all other relevant actions. |
| No action is undertaken that runs contrary to this central objective, either by avoiding removal of tree canopy, or by offsetting removal that is necessary or otherwise desirable. |
Composition of the treescape
What the tree population comprises is very important to both the functions it provides, and also whether trees are regarded as a welcome benefit or a problem. Composition includes the proportions of trees at different ages or maturity; the diversity of species in the population; the mix of tree form and management2; and whether trees are suited to their location and the surrounding land use.
A good tree in the wrong place, and a poor tree in the right place can both represent a problem.
2 - E.g. woodland, specimen trees, pollards, hedgerow, coppice, plantation, scrub, orchards, and veteran trees.
Table 3 - Composition of the treescape: where are we now?
| We know... | We think... |
|---|---|
| ...there are instances of 'wrong tree in the right place' | ...there is a narrow age range in some parts of the tree population, particularly street trees |
| ...climate change is increasing pest and disease threats, and that greater diversity could help to meet this challenge and improve resilience | ...the range of species and genus is too narrow, that the mix of species is not 'future-proof' in terms of adaptation to climate change |
| ...the distribution of some types of trees, including woodland and garden trees, is geographically uneven | ...tree planting has reduced in some sectors, which could lead to future problems with composition |
...management practices have been led by resource availability and this has limited creativity and proactive approaches | |
...there is support from key stakeholders for changes to composition to prioritise wildlife and respond to climate change |
How should we measure progress?
At any future point, do the following statements describe the current situation?
Table 4 - Composition of the treescape: where are we going?
| Indicators of progress |
|---|
| An accurate, reliable, and replicable baseline for composition has been established for the whole treescape, and specifically for Council trees. |
| Targets have been developed, and are or can be used to monitor composition. |
| The age profile, species mix, distribution, and variety of management type/form of trees within the treescape are all improving. |
| The understanding and modelling of anticipated threats to the tree population in terms of impact on canopy, composition, and cost are improving. |
| Opportunities to require or encourage tree replacement are increasingly exploited to increase diversity in the composition of the tree population. |
| Proactive interventions are a routine activity, including tree replacement, to improve composition, for climate resilience, and to enhance the treescape. |
| Planning and development are a strong driver for improvement in composition; diverse planting is required and delivered to a good standard. |
| The number of complaints about trees from the public to the council is reducing, indicating a better relationship with more suitable trees. |
Access to benefits
Access is principally about people, and how trees are both actively and passively engaged in human activity. This covers the times that people make choices that are influenced by trees, like visiting a park for exercise, as well as local benefits that trees provide 'passively' such as improvements to air quality.
For people to have good access to these advantages, trees need to be nearby (physically or visually accessible), and they need to be providing benefits that will reach people.
This is sometimes about trees, but it is also about their context:
- education and culture
- interpretation and signage
- hard infrastructure and information sharing
- community engagement and events.
Improving access to trees can increase their value without changing the trees at all.
Table 5 - Access to trees: where are we now?
| We know... | We think... |
|---|---|
| ...tree cover is low overall | ...an abundant treescape would deliver more accessible benefits |
| ...the distribution of trees is very uneven, with significant disparities between wards, and some wards with very few trees | ...there are significant differences between urban and rural; public and private; and other land classifications that do not reflect the capacity for trees but other factors too |
| ...people use and value parks, woodland, footpaths, and cycleways, but that access to public green space is not evenly distributed | ...people increasingly want trees where they live, not just to visit green places, and that regular contact with trees normalises higher canopy cover |
| ...there is strong community engagement and a sense of ownership in some areas, such as through 'Friends Of' groups and events | ...the scope for change to the treescape in large parks is relatively limited, but that changes to usage and access can add value |
| ...that a deeper understanding of the value and benefits provided by trees influences the relationship people have with them | ...the 'customer experience' when engaging with public services can influence the perception of and relationship with public trees |
How should we measure progress?
At any future point, do the following statements describe the current situation?
Table 6 - Access to trees: where are we going?
| Indicators of progress |
|---|
| The standard deviation of tree canopy cover between wards is reducing; the distribution of trees is becoming more even. |
| A reliable and replicable baseline has been developed and we understand where areas of higher 'arboricultural deprivation' are. |
A simple metric has been developed and is being used to characterise, measure, and talk about access to trees (e.g. the '3-30-300 rule'3). |
Greater effort to protect, plant and enhance the treescape, and improve access is being made in places with fewest trees. |
Access to information, services, and events are increasing. There is better communication between the Council and the public. |
People understand the benefits that trees provide and increasingly value them. The number of garden trees, and volunteering are increasing. |
The number of requests, suggestions, and reports about trees (excluding complaints) from the public to the Council is increasing. |
Cooperation between stakeholders is increasing, including through partnerships, across sectors, with businesses, and with the public. |
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is a general term for the variety and complexity of life, including species, habitats, and ecosystems. In terms of trees, biodiversity can be thought of as including the range of tree species, the variety and complexity of the habitats they provide or contribute to, and the other species that they support with food, habitats, shelter, or transport routes.
High biodiversity is typically associated with diversity of tree species, and particular management practices, as well as time for habitats and species populations to develop without disturbance. Choosing the right trees to promote particular species or habitats is also important, as is the connectedness of the treescape.
Table 7 - Biodiversity and trees: where are we now?
| We know... | We think... |
|---|---|
| ...there is a biodiversity crisis at the international and national level and think that healthy biodiversity will require significant changes locally | ...trees contribute significantly to biodiversity, but we don't fully understand how, or what the priorities should be to promote biodiversity in the treescape in this area |
| ...trees, woodland and hedgerow are a significant component in ecosystems and habitats, and are suited to the region | ...there is significant scope for increasing biodiversity through changes to management practices and new tree planting |
| ...some types of habitats do not benefit from tree planting, but we do not clearly understand how or where these should influence strategy | ...invasive species, ash dieback and other emerging pests and diseases represent threats that requires action to conserve biodiversity |
| ...woodland, trees connected to rivers and water, and mature trees are particularly beneficial, and that distribution of these is patchy | ...the low tree in rural northern and denser city wards may impact some types of biodiversity in these areas |
| ...there is increasing awareness and support for biodiversity as a priority, including through public opinion, law, regulation and policy. |
How should we measure progress?
At any future point, do the following statements describe the current situation?
Table 8 - Biodiversity and trees: where are we going?
| Indicators of progress |
|---|
| The role of trees in biodiversity should be mapped and better understood, creating a baseline against which to measure progress. |
| Clear targets have been established, are embedded in decision making and management practices wherever possible, and are being met. |
| Canopy connectivity between large parks and significant areas of tree cover and woodland should be increasing4. |
| The amount of woodland should be increasing and the amount that is actively managed to promote biodiversity should be increasing. |
| The spread of invasive species in woodland is not increasing. |
| Tree management practices increasingly promote biodiversity, including through the creation and retention of standing and aerial dead wood. |
| Tree planting increasingly promotes biodiversity through species choice, diversity, and structure of planting. |
| The number of registered sites delivering biodiversity net gain is increasing and their anticipated contribution to the treescape is understood. |
The amount and status/condition of sites with ecological designations is stable or increasing, and the role of trees is understood. |
Ecosystem services
This is a broad concept, including the range of beneficial services that are provided by nature. It often includes services provided by animals, like pollination, but in this context the term is used specifically to describe services provided by trees. These are principally environmental; trees that influence the physical environment in useful ways.
These include functions like shading, carbon sequestration, particulate trapping, rainfall interception and flood mitigation, erosion control, remediation of contaminated land, and also the production of useful materials or products.
Table 9 - Services provided by trees: where are we now?
| We know... | We think... |
|---|---|
...almost all trees provide some beneficial services wherever they are, but that they are not evenly distributed | ...trees are providing significant benefits, but we don't clearly understand what these are or how to value them |
| ...tree planting and species selection has not historically been done with environmental benefits in mind, many current benefits are incidental | ...there is significant scope to increase benefits through tree management decisions, tree replacement, and new planting |
| ...ecosystem services are not generally accounted or valued in existing budgets or resourcing | ...further investment in the treescape would yield a good 'return' in terms of cost for benefits provided |
| ...grant funding is moving towards provision of ecosystem services, and that natural capital is increasingly commoditised. | ...services provided by existing trees and woodland or capacity for creation of new assets might have financial value that could be recovered |
| ...landscape scale multilateral action would deliver the greatest systemic and significant improvements; no one party can do this in isolation. |
How should we measure progress?
At any future point, do the following statements describe the current situation?
Table 10 - Services provided by trees: where are we going?
| Indicators of progress |
|---|
| The environmental services trees provide have been modelled and are well understood. This provides a reliable and replicable baseline. |
| Priorities have been identified that include targets for key services, and reflect geographical variation in needs and opportunities. |
| Trees are making an increasing beneficial contribution to air quality, flood mitigation, water quality, energy efficiency, carbon sequestration, temperature regulation, and soils. |
| Local needs are understood and there are mechanisms in place to meet these by using trees to deliver useful functions. |
| The value of services provided by trees is understood, embedded in decision making, and represented in resource allocation and budgets. |
| There is an increasing understanding of the environmental services trees provide across all sectors, including within the Council and the public. |
| Planting on soft ground and/or which can naturally regenerate is prioritised, including through SuDS, woodland creation and within agriculture. |
| The number of sites under registered schemes such as Woodland Carbon Code or Countryside Stewardship (with relevant units) is increasing. |
The role of the Council
The Council has four core functions in respect of tree management.
Table 11 - Core functions of Council tree management
| What should the Council do? |
|---|
| Ensure that its own trees do not present a risk to health and safety |
| Ensure that its own trees do not damage or obstruct other important services and amenities |
| Act as a consenting authority and/or regulate the actions of third parties |
| Identify and take opportunities to maximise benefits provided by trees, both proactively and incidentally as part of other Council activities. |
The first three are things that the Council must do. In each, there is effectively a minimum scope and standards for what the Council must do to discharge its legal obligations and deliver core services.
The vision for how the Council should operate therefore must include the delivery of these core functions to a good standard.
In addition, the public benefits, goods, and services that can be realised through a high quality treescape are substantial and many relate indirectly to duties or national policies such as those around biodiversity, or climate change.
Therefore, a fourth core function covering these is included.
Measuring performance
Bearing these core functions in mind, what does good local authority tree management look like? What should we be able to say about how the Council acts?
The following statements describe the ambition of the Council, and its role in delivering the treescape.
Table 12 - Council tree management standards
| Standards for tree management |
|---|
| 1. We know enough about our trees to manage them well. |
| 2. We understand what our trees are doing for us, what value they have and what we want from them. |
| 3. Our plans and policies reflect the priorities and objectives that we have. |
| 4. Management and decisions are proactive and led by plans and policy. |
| 5. There is political and public support for our objectives for trees. |
| 6. All stakeholders can access the information they need easily. |
| 7. We have access to the right skills for the services we need to deliver. |
| 8. There is sufficient capacity to meet demand for services. |
| 9. The trees we manage are in good condition and fit for purpose/location. |
| 10. Trees do not present an unacceptable risk to people, property, or other objectives. |
| 11. We have plans in place to meet future needs and challenges. |
| 12. We have sufficient resources to meet current and anticipated needs. |
The Council will aim to meet these standards in its own work and for its own trees, and will also be open, proactive and positive in the way it engages with partners and stakeholders in the management of all trees in the local authority area.
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