MY CIPP
The power of planting
Laura Bate ACIPP, CIPP quality, environmental, safety and health executive, explains the importance of growing trees as National Tree Week approaches
T his is the start of the UK tree planting season. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of National Tree Week, a government-sponsored national campaign called ‘Plant a Tree in 73’, when National Tree Week and The Tree Council was created. The Tree Council brings everyone together with a shared mission to care for trees and our planet’s future. It inspires and empowers organisations, government, communities and individuals. This year’s National Tree Week is taking place from 23 November until 1 December 2024, so now is a good time to reflect on the essential role of trees today.
2. Check that the hole is deep enough for the roots. 3. Place the tree within the hole. 4. Use the soil you have put aside to refill the hole. 5. Compress the soil by using your heel or toe to fill any air gaps and to stop frost from creeping in. Institute update At the Institute, bee-attracting wildflower seeds have been sown. Once they have bloomed this shall strengthen our ecosystem and benefit wildlife. Without bees we wouldn’t survive, as they are fundamental to our physical health and the health of the environment. Bees pollinate food crops and feed livestock. Without them it would be difficult to produce lots of meat, egg and dairy products. They also prevent our ecosystem from collapsing. They pollinate wild trees and flowers which, in turn, helps to support other insects and organisms within our food chains. When you next see a bee, just remember it’s important in helping keep plants alive. n Links corner Tree Preservation Orders and trees in conservation areas: https://ow.ly/ XxEl50TwmJe National Tree Week: https://ow.ly/ xJ8Z50Twnb9 The Benefits of Trees: https://ow.ly/ nWjc50TwneC How to Plant Trees: https://ow.ly/ SILM50Twnha Why Are Bees Important?: https://ow.ly/ GFz750Twnmg.
be enforced within certain areas. This is done by the local planning authority to protect specific trees, groups of trees or woodlands in the interests of amenity. Unless the local planning authority has provided written consent, an Order prohibits any of the following being done to trees: l cutting down
l topping l lopping l uprooting l wilful damage l wilful destruction.
If consent is given, it can be subject to conditions which have to be followed. For more information, refer to Tree Preservation Orders and trees in conservation areas on the government website: https://ow.ly/XxEl50TwmJe. Tree planting season runs between November and March, although it can be a little longer in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Before planting trees, they need to be stored upright with shelter from frost and wind. The roots also need to be kept moist. You may find it useful to mark out where your tree will be placed, to ensure that your planting area isn’t overgrown. For guidance, trees need to be planted around two metres apart and look more natural planted in a wavy line. There are different methods to planting trees; however, Woodland Trust recommends pit planting. Five steps to pit plant a tree 1. Use a spade to dig a hole within suitable ground, e.g. a field, and keep the soil you have removed to one side.
Five reasons why trees are important
1. Climate change: trees don’t only mitigate carbon but absorb it during photosynthesis, which is kept for centuries. 2. Biodiversity: moths, birds, bats, dormice, butterflies and fungi all depend on woods, trees and hedges to feed and thrive. 3. Health and wellbeing: trees keep our atmosphere rich in oxygen. They also release chemicals called phytoncides which strengthen our immune, hormonal, circulatory and nervous systems when we breathe them in. 4. Food production: trees shelter livestock. This can be by providing them shady areas for respite from heatwaves. 5. Urban green space: trees can reduce the outdoor and indoor pollution by 50%. By incorporating more trees and woods into urban areas this can affect pollution-related sickness and deaths.
Tree preservation In England, a Tree Preservation Order may
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward | November 2024 | Issue 105 10
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker