By David Bocking
Thousands of trees in Sheffield are expected to die over the next ten years. David Bocking reports on how the city aims to keep its green mantle
It'll be worth keeping an eye on Sheffield's golden canopy this autumn.
First of all an extra 5,000 or 6,000 assorted trees are due to appear around the city over the next few months, thanks to a £50,000 grant allocated by the council.
But also cast a glance at Sheffield's tree-lined avenues, in Nether Edge or Broomhill, for example.
These are the old trees, planted in a 30 or 40 year period in the late 1800s as the Victorians sought to mark their pride in their city by planting ash, lime and sycamore for future generations. Enjoy them now, because many won't be around much longer.
"It's like having a population of octogenarians," says Dan Lewis, the council's tree and woodland manager, "Because they're even-aged, thousands of them are going to die over a short period of time."
A recent audit of trees in Nether Edge, Broomhill and central Sheffield found that nearly 8,000 are likely to die over the next ten years and nearly three-quarters of the trees in this area (as many as 35,000) are likely to be lost before 2050.
"I found that frightening," says Dan. "Any trees we plant now are going to take 40 years to grow, so we can't wait."
Actually, Dan has been waiting for quite some time. He's been warning of the imminent loss of our tree-lined streets and gardens for more than 12 years and now, it seems, the replanting is finally set to begin.
The council says the £50,000 tree budget is probably the greatest single amount ever allocated specifically for tree planting in the city and represents a major boost to Sheffield's 'urban forest'.
"Sheffield has probably the best urban treescape in the country," says Dan.
Viewed from above Sheffield has nearly 15% tree cover, or nearly 54 square miles of tree canopy within the city boundary.
In some American cities the figure is closer to 50% but 15% is very good for urban Britain, says Dan.
"In a city that's just brilliant, You go to Norfolk Park or other vantage points and it's just fantastic. And many of those Victorian trees were planted by ordinary people."
And that's the plan for the new 'urban forest'. The council will be looking for Sheffield people, local schools and other organisations to suggest places where trees are needed. Then, after a successful site visit, the proposers will be invited to plant their own local trees.
"It's an awareness raising campaign," says Dan.
"It's not just about putting trees in the ground, it's about engaging with the public and helping to generate local pride."
The new trees will be rather different to the large-leafed trees of 130 years ago.Many will be easier to maintain as they produce smaller leaves and drought resistant species have been selected to withstand our changing climate.
"The way the climate is going, we've got to hedge our bets now," says Dan, possibly not intending a pun.
So as well as selected native trees, we'll be seeing the honey locust and the gingko or maidenhair, which dates back 190 million years.
The planting programme will in itself help Sheffield deal with some of the effects of pollution and climate change: trees and their leaves help to remove potentially deadly air pollutants like PM10s (from vehicle exhausts) by collecting them on their leaves, where they are washed out of the air into the ground.
They also help to slow water run-off and flooding and urban trees can help regulate temperature in heatwaves.
Dan hopes to see an increase in tree cover in the city centre – he's identified potential sites on Devonshire Green, off West Street, in several car parks and even on Fargate.
"It's up to the people of Sheffield where they're going to be. I'd love to see 10% tree cover in the city centre but I don't know if that will be possible."
He walks through the streets of Nether Edge as he talks, frowning up at the towering centenarians, many of which are finally losing their will to live.
"We're looking at what the Victorians did for us but we should be doing something for the next generation. They don't have a voice as yet but we can't just can't just sit here without putting something back."
l More information at Sheffield Wood Fair in Endcliffe Park tomorrow. Or, says Dan: "Ring 2500500, say 'Can we have a tree?' and we'll look into it".
- Source: Sheffield Telegraph
- Location: SHEFFIELD, SOUTH YORKSHIRE
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