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The Urban Tree Manual provides advice on selecting and procuring the right tree for the right place in urban areas. It also highlights long term issues of the threats to existing trees from pests, disease and climate change, and describes the benefits to the environment and for well-being that urban trees can provide.
The Manual is not intended as an exhaustive compendium on tree selection, aftercare and management. Instead, it presents current thinking on these matters and provides valuable sign posting to further relevant information.
The Manual is useful for anyone involved in planting trees in towns and cities but is primarily aimed at local authorities, charities, community groups and landowners.
Section 1 Location: choosing the site and assessment of constraints
Section 2 Tree Selection: decision support and thinking long term
Section 3 Ecosystem Services: the benefits of trees
Section 4 Biodiversity: tree selection to enhance and support biodiversity
Section 5 Procurement: contract growing and procurement policies and standards
Section 6 Planting and Establishment: ground preparation, production system choice, mulching, weeding, watering, formative pruning
Section 7 Pests and Diseases: threats, signs, symptoms and management solutions
This manual has been produced for Defra by Forestry Commission, England with expert author inputs from Forest Research, Animal and Plant Agency, University of Birmingham, Royal Horticultural Society.
Kieron Doick or Helen Townsend, Policy and Advice Team, Forest Services, Forestry Commission England
Research to understand the contribution that urban trees make with respect to: the resilience of current and planned urban tree stocks to climate change, their role in regulating temperatures, and water management in urban areas
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