A recent general study of canopy cover levels revealed that Bexhill-on-Sea had a below-average tree canopy cover of only 12.8%. The recommended tree canopy cover set locally is at least 20% (or 15% for coastal areas), as per Forest Research advice.
Bexhill-on-Sea is located within a district of rural character of substantial tree canopy cover, with 82% of the district falling within the boundaries of the High WealdArea of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). According to the Rother Ancient Woodland Inventory (2010, p.3)2: “Rother district is exceptionally well wooded. Of the 67 local authorities in the South East region, it has the 6th greatest area of woodland, and the third greatest area of ancient woodland, with more than three quarters of its woodland area identified as ancient.
Rural areas often have a good level of canopy cover, but it would be great to aspire to greater even-ness and distribution between rural and urban areas of the Rother district.
Rural Rother has sufficient tree canopy cover; Bexhill-on-Sea has below average tree canopy cover hence the study is focused on Bexhill-on-Sea urban area. I-tree is an urban forestry approach.
‘The urban forest comprises all the trees in the urban realm – in public and private spaces, along linear routes and waterways and in amenity areas. It contributes to green infrastructure and the wider urban ecosystem.’
i-Tree Eco studies the whole area, meaning both public and private trees are included.
The i-tree study for Bexhill will consider trees irrespective of ownership.
The actual tree sampling will depend on where the random plots are located.
Figure 1 The concept of urban forest. Source: https://www.charteredforesters.org/2017/04/urban-forest-equally-beneficial/
A record of new and lost trees is ordinarily done by the trees’ owner. A local authority ordinarily records this information as part of its tree inventory management.
In the case of Rother, Rother District Council records information for trees on its land in parks and green spaces and East Sussex County Council hold such as information for the street trees as the highways authority.
The survey can be repeated, some councils look to revisit their study after 5/10 years.
Replacement cost is the cost to purchase, transport and plant another like-for-like tree. It is purely a structural cost and does not account for any benefits. For more info, take a look at this link; https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/research/i-tree-eco/i-tree-resources/reporting-an-i-tree-eco-project/
It can be a great opportunity to involve students and schools – but this will be dependent on the schools being able to supervise and manage students & safety – it’s a great idea, but one everyone would need to discuss and ensure proper plans are in place.
We usually aim to train around 20 per session, you can use as many as you can manage well, to achieve the plot surveying. More surveyors means less plots per person, but it does mean more people to support.
Plots are always circular as this follows forestry practices (rather than square shaped transects which are often used by ecologists).
Plots are always 11.3m radius – 0.04ha in area of 1/10th Acre – 0.04 can be hard to visualise.
Hello, yes, we are aware of the study in Lewes.
Any Bexhill based Plumpton students are welcome to take part.
Great to include students and can be hugely valuable. This will be dependent on the schools/ colleges being able to supervise and manage students & safety – it’s a great idea, but one everyone would need to discuss and ensure proper plans are in place.
The tree owner is responsible for tree establishment and future care and maintenance.
Thank you for your suggestion. Suggestions on the project name welcome.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
The Rother Local Plan is under review and the department leading on this is Planning Policy: https://www.rother.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/
The Bexhill i-tree study is engaging with Planning Policy and will inform the Local Plan review.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. A future activity arising from the Bexhill i-tree study will be reviewing and updating TPO information available via Rother District Council’s website.
Unfortunately, the site is in private ownership; Rother District Council does not have jurisdiction over this site.
For enforcement around pre-emptive felling of a woodland, please contact Forestry Commission: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-suspected-illegal-tree-felling
Get in touch with Woodland Trust: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/protecting-trees-and-woods/campaign-with-us/protect-ancient-woodland/
Information about Rother neighbourhood plans: https://www.rother.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/neighbourhood-plans/
The Ancient Tree Inventory is hosted by Woodland Trust and lists veteran and ancient trees:
https://ati.woodlandtrust.org.uk/
