Site assessment

If you are planning to plant over a hectare, our woodland creation team can help guide you through the process. Contact us on 0845 293 5689. 

Get to know the site

Before starting your project and acquiring trees, undertake a detailed site assessment to check the land is suitable for tree planting. Walk around the site, check the boundaries and identify your access points (are they big enough to drive maintenance vehicles / contractors through if required?)

What to look for

Look for any natural or manmade hazards, such as exposed rockfaces, quarries or old buildings.

What about animals such as deer and rabbits? If these are in high numbers good tree protection will be required to avoid poor establishment.

If you are in doubt about the history of the site, check with the County Council archaeology department to see if there are any historic features (such as old limekilns) that you need to be aware of. Also check to see if there are any watercourses or ditches that will require maintenance to avoid flooding the site.

Other considerations

Even if the site looks suitable, there are a few other considerations to take into account. It is a good idea to check with your local County Environmental Records Office to make sure there are no habitat designations that could prevent tree planting. If there is doubt, you may need a botantical survey from an ecologist.

If you are planting on a brownfield site, check with the local authority to see if there are any records of landfill, tipping or contamination.

Services also need to be considered, as there could be pipes and cables under the site which require clear access. Write letters to service providers – electricity, gas, sewerage, telephone, street lighting, digital television, –  explaining your project (with a map attached) and ask whether they have any services in the vicinity that need to be avoided or incorporated into the design.You may need to chase them up for a response. If in doubt, request a site meeting.

If you are planting over 5 hectares, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) may be required. If your planting is within an Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty (AONB), an assessment maybe required for just 2 hectares of planting. Our woodland creation team will be able to help you with this.