Tree Planting Schemes
DB Landscape Management have recently been involved in some fabulous tree planting schemes around newbuild property developments. There’s no doubt about it, trees are transformational and provide so many benefits. The aesthetic and environmental assets are clear to see, but trees also benefit the wellbeing of communities and individuals. So we’d like to applaud all property developers who make the effort to include tree planting in their building programs.
Our one off green projects have seen trees form the centre of marketing campaigns for global organisations promoting the importance of tree planting for our planet – all pop up forests installed by DB Landscape management see the trees being distributed by local authorities for permanent tree planting in the local area.
How Trees Help Meet Biodiversity Net Gain Targets
When it comes to planning newbuilds, trees are probably not at the forefront of the developer’s mind. With the demand for property on the increase, there is a natural desire to use most of the available space for housing and infrastructure. However, new laws sanctioned in 2024 require developers to ensure that they leave a site ecologically more diverse than they found it. Which can be quite a challenge.
Trees have a remarkable ability to support a wide variety of wildlife and as such are welcomed by planners. Including small areas of woodland, tree-lined avenues and/or specimen trees in the blueprint for any new development are one way to demonstrate willingness to comply with BNG legislation. Add in native hedgerows and areas of species rich grassland with perhaps some carefully considered planting around SuDs schemes and what once once a monoculture of arable farmland can become a richly biodiverse area with oodles of interest.
The joy of incorporating trees into newbuild developments is that once established, they are relatively low maintenance. BNG legislation requires developers to maintain the landscaping in order to ensure that habitat provision is sustainable. That means managing grassland and trimming hedges. Trees on the other hand, need little more than regular watering in the first two years after planting.
Plants, People, Places. How Trees Turn Housing Developments Into Homes and Communities
There’s something about trees that help humans to feel settled and comfortable in their presence. Have you noticed how the tree-lined streets in our cities feel safer? How people tend to slow their pace to window-shop, or how they stop and enjoy a beverage at a street cafe, or even strike up a conversation with a stranger?
Trees and communities go together like coffee and croissants. Think of a village green where children play beneath leafy trees, and people of all ages spend time relaxing, chatting and soaking up the atmosphere. Adding trees to public open spaces immediately benefits the wellbeing of individuals which in turn, benefits the entire community.
Trees can be equally beneficial in the areas between public open spaces. Not only do they form wildlife corridors, they lend an air of maturity and permanence to streets and communities. Their shade is invaluable and of course trees can help to manage excess rainwater and ameliorate the risk of flooding.
And then there’s the privacy aspect provided by trees. They add kerb appeal by softening the lines of a building. Even if they are far enough away to avoid blocking the light from a property, a mature tree can make it difficult to peer into a neighbours window. Which means that just the presence of healthy trees, makes houses feel like homes. And doesn’t every house buyer want to invest in a home rather than a building?
Do Trees Increase Property Values?
Evidence suggests that homes in leafy green areas sell quicker and fetch higher prices than those with no surrounding soft landscaping. Although it is difficult to put an exact figure on it, there’s no doubt that a development with trees is a far more attractive place to live than somewhere with very little greenery.
Tree Planting Services From D B Landscape Management
The team here at D B Landscape Management are uniquely qualified to help developers to design and implement tree planting schemes for new housing schemes. Our horticultural and environmental knowledge means that we can recommend suitable species for the conditions on site and the aesthetic you want to create. Meaning that we can help you reach BNG targets in the most practical, profitable and visually pleasing way.
With our industry connections we can source beautiful, healthy trees at sensible prices. And of course we can relieve soil compaction, improve soil quality and install irrigation systems to ensure that your new trees establish quickly and sustainably.
Get in touch today for an informal chat about introducing trees to your new housing development.
