Trees and Woodland Strategy
Bexley's strategic approach to tree management and new tree planting
The Proposed Future Role of Trees in Bexley
5.1
The urban forest of Bexley should be seen as a dynamic resource, one which
will be enlarged and developed to satisfy a diversity of interests within Bexley
and provide the many benefits documented earlier. What follows is a vision of
how trees will be woven into the fabric of the Borough of Bexley.
5.1.1
Existing trees and woodlands, especially
ancient woodlands, will be managed to maximise the many benefits they provide.
Where possible new markets for wood and tree waste will be developed locally;
for example, charcoal can be produced from any of our woodlands and compost can
be produced from leaves and tree prunings. The value of woodlands, especially
for nature conservation and amenity will continue to improve into the next millennium.
 5.1.2
Woodland cover will grow with new woodlands planted as part of the Community Woodland for the North Kent initiative. With careful and sensitive design, community woodlands will improve the landscape. They will transform areas of degraded or derelict land and provide new opportunities for recreation and education, especially for local people. The new woodlands will create varied habitats for wildlife by using mainly native tree and shrubs and by including glades and path networks.
5.1.3
Entrances to the Borough, especially
the A2 and A20 will have extensive tree cover. These will be linked by railway
lines, green walks and verdant streets to woodlands and open spaces to provide
green corridors. Shopping centres too will make the most of the opportunities
they can offer for tree cover to provide shelter and shade.
5.1.4
Industrial sites and estates, and the approach roads to them, will have an abundant tree
cover to reduce their effect on the landscape and benefit their employees.
5.1.5
The urban forest in Bexley will continue to contain a diverse mixture of tree species,
especially in formal parks, gardens and streets. Historic landscapes will be
enhanced by the planting of new avenues of trees providing vistas and focal points.
Opportunities for the planting of large trees will be taken, especially where
they provide the maximum contribution to the amenity of an area. Above all, the
local character of an area or its 'sense of place' will be conserved and enhanced.
5.1.6
Information on Bexley's urban forest will continue to grow providing valuable knowledge on
the extent of tree cover, its condition and structure. This will allow proper
planning for the future and enable effective management decisions to be made.
5.1.7
Information too will be widely available and circulated to residents, developers, schools,
volunteer groups and associations; in fact anyone who has an interest in trees.
This will ensure that people understand the needs of trees and the threats to
them, and as tree owners they understand their responsibilities toward trees
and their neighbours.
5.1.8
To stimulate this exchange of information and a widespread caring approach to trees, a variety
of local interests will help to develop partnerships for involvement and participation.
This may involve community tree planting projects, tree warden schemes or simply
guided walks and exhibitions.
5.1.9
To ensure this vision of the future is successfully implemented, the objectives set out
in Section 6 must be implemented. These will be driven by the detailed polices and action
plans set out in Sections 7 and 8.
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