Value of Trees toolkit offers greening advice for local authorities

A new free resource has been produced aimed at helping councils get the full potential out of tree planting projects, which have been proven to reduce urban temperatures and improve air quality.

Created by the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT) and the Rees Jeffeys Road Fund, The Value of Trees toolkit contains information on species selection, guidances on planting processes and maintenance. 

Leicestershire County Council has also been involved in the work, which features a tree valuation matrix. This essentially rates different types of trees that are available to UK authorities (i.e. those that can grow in the country’s climate), based on various impacts and outcomes. These include carbon storage and sequestration, flood management and air pollution removal. Meanwhile, a separate selection tool helps pick the right species for specific locations and environmental conditions. 

You can download a copy for free here.

‘Local authorities are planting trees as part of their plans to accelerate woodland creation and support their climate change agendas, but we are concerned about challenges that may be presented by diseases such as ash dieback,’ said Mark Kemp, President of ADEPT. ‘ADEPT wanted to measure the impact of ash dieback on local authorities and develop support for local authorities across the country, so we commissioned the Value of Trees project. We wanted to develop a considered strategy to delivering ecosystem services and create a consistent, evidence-based approach.’

‘Leicestershire County Council has shown its commitment to protecting and increasing its tree population by working in partnership to develop the Tree Charter and the Net Zero Action Plan. The Value of Trees work is a further step in the right direction towards a future with trees that are thriving and delivering multiple benefits for Leicestershire residents,’ added Cllr Blake Pain, lead member for the environment and the green agenda at Leicestershire County Council.

Tree planting is considered an effective way to tackle air quality issues, and can provide a natural carbon sink. However, this must be done in the right way and in the right place. Revisit Air Quality News‘ long-read on the devastating impact of monoculture and for-profit plantations.