It’s not onerous or expensive to plant a tree. Why not help to beautify your street and improve your locality?

It appears that Kent County Council can’t afford to plant more street trees because of restrictions on underground utilities, much to the frustration of many people.

However, we could plant trees in corners of our front gardens. It’s not restricting access if you consider positioning carefully. I appreciate some front gardens are very small, but it’s still often feasible with the right choice of tree. There are so many trees which could be accommodated in varying spaces either with spreading canopies or upright, minimising shading and space impact. It’s something we can all do if we have the privilege of a front garden. It will improve the beauty of your street and your garden area.

Trees need watering when planted and during their establishment, but that’s not onerous. Key to success is aftercare. A liquid seaweed feed every month in the growing season for the first two years (between April to October) will encourage fibrous root development and enhance the tree’s overall health and longevity.

You should plant half standard trees with a 4.5ft to 5ft stake (ideally a low stake will allow the trunk to move which allows the trunk to strengthen). A stake is not necessary unless you’re in a very exposed position, however it could also be a precautionary measure against potential human impacts. Please check any stakes and ties occasionally to make sure they do not cause any abrasion to the tree trunk and are not too tight.

Trees to consider for unexposed positions:
Taxus baccata “Fastigiata” (Irish Yew/Upright evergreen shrub)
Prunus serrulate “Amanogawa” (Cherry Blossom/Upright flowering blossom)
Cupressus sempervirens (Mediterranean Cypress/Italian Cypress/Evergreen Tree)
Ginkgo biloba “Golden Spire” (Golden Spire/Large Maidenhair Tree).

Trees to consider for exposed positions:
Betula pendula “Jacquemontii” (West Himalayan Birch)
Corylus “’Colurna” (Turkish Hazel)
Sorbus aucuparia cultivars (Rowan Tree/Mountain Ash)
Sorbus vilmorinii cultivars (Vilmorin’s Rowan Tree/Vilmorin’s Mountain Ash)
Amelanchier canadensis “Glenn Form” (or other cultivars) (Service Berry)
Sorbus aucuparia cultivar.

Written by:
Kevin Pressland