Why do so many newly-planted trees die?

There have been a lot of depressing headlines over the last few years concerning the deaths of 1000s - if not millions - of newly planted saplings and trees.

This does not need to happen.

If we take care of the trees we plant, they should live and thrive. Here are some stories about the death of newly planted trees.

HS2 - Thousands of trees newly planted trees have perished

There are also concerns that trees planted to replace those that died during HS2's construction have perished

Gloucester City Council - 13,000 trees

Numerous articles tell the same sad tale. Lack of care of newly planted trees, they fail to thrive. When trees are planted, it is not good practice to walk away and leave them. They need checking on, often they need watering, and they sometimes need the competing grass and weeds to be removed from the base.

At the launch of the Rothbury Tree Warden scheme, we planted 150 saplings. Northumberland County Council very kindly bought these for us, along with the five standard trees. The saplings are hawthorn, silver birch, rowan, cherry, and chestnut.

Of the 150 saplings, we have lost only about 10.

What is the secret of our success?

Well actually, it is not secret...

When we formed the Rothbury Tree Wardens, we committed not to simply plant trees - but to look after them too. A team of Tree Wardens, fantastic people, have committed themselves to be on a rota of folk who come and strim around the saplings, replace guards if needed, and keep a general eye on things (AND LITTER PICK - UGH - the amount of litter thrown onto this verge is horrendous!).

Here is a video made by one of the Rothbury Rubbish Friends, Barry Frost, about this never-ending battle - do watch, it is strangely enjoyable!

Littering is a horrible problem, and a dangerous one for wildlife.

But back to young tree care!

For advice on care for newly planted trees, Gov.UK say this:

Why you should protect new trees.

Protecting and managing new trees helps them establish and increases their chances of survival. By looking after newly planted trees you can:

improve their growth

reduce costs of replacing dead trees

reduce costs of future maintenance

prevent plastic littering from poorly maintained tree protection

It's easier to maintain newly planted trees if you've planted them in the right place to start with. How a site was prepared for tree planting after felling will affect what maintenance it will need.

If you have a woodland management plan it might have details about how the site was prepared.

If you're in an urban area, find out more about maintaining street trees in the Urban Tree Manual from Forest Research.

Unfortunately, in the work Tree Wardens regularly do, we find that landowners often plant trees, and then neglect them. Tree Wardens spend a lot of time freeing mature trees from horrible plastic guards which should have been removed years earlier. (See blog dated June 15th 2022 for images and information).

Gov.uk goes on to explain:

In the first 5 years, you should:

replace any trees that die

reuse tree protection where possible

replace damaged or missing tree protection

maintain appropriate tree protection

make sure planted trees are kept free from competing vegetation

You may also have to protect trees from damage by mammals, including voles, rabbits, hares, deer and livestock.

Gov.UK Guidance

As always, we acknowledge the immense help of friends. The fabulous Tree Wardens: Alan, Jane, Rik, Elidh, Maggie, Sarah Winlow, Katie, John, Jo Wilkes. These Tree Wardens are on a rota for tree checking.

Also, ROWANS - This fabulous group of Rothbury CAN members (it stands for Reclaiming Our Wild And Natural Spaces) has planted many many trees, and also wild flowers, and hedging. The group is committed to looking after these and all of this is going very well. Thanks so much to Jen, Suzanne, Liz, Lauren, Anthea, Elke, Chris.