This is a newly developing project for Herefordshire, based on the work of the respected Trees and Design Action Group in London. More will follow shortly.

A launch for the project is being planned for the Autumn 2011, to coincide with Tree Week: 26th November - 4th December.

Please check back soon for more information, or see below for further reading about the contribution trees make to the local environment, health and energy saving.

More Trees for Hereford

A report for Hereford Civic Society is arguing for increased tree cover in the city of Hereford which, in common with other urban settlements, faces a range of challenges in the coming decades; pressure for more housing and other development, an increase in road traffic, and the impacts of a changing climate. These bring an increased risk of flooding, especially surface water flooding, poor air quality, health problems associated with summer heat, reduced availability of green space, and erosion of civic amenity.

Climate change is a key policy driver in health, water management, energy, urban design and many other areas. Climate change is predicted to increase summer droughts and lead to milder winter temperatures and higher winter rainfall especially in the west of the country. There is likely to be an increase in severe weather events including heat waves, higher intensity rainfall and storms.

Investment in adaptation technologies is needed to increase the resilience of urban and rural infrastructure. Adaptation means undertaking measures to reduce the impact of change on society. It is action to reduce risk or capture advantage.

The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) in their 'Hallmarks of a sustainable city' go as far as to say that..."it would be difficult to overstate the vital role that green infrastructure can play in preparing towns and cities for climate change". Good evidence exists of both the need and the economic costs and benefits of urban tree cover. There are a number of ways in which trees can be seen to offer a particular and cost effective answer to urban adaptation.

The paper outlines the case for maintaining and increasing tree cover in Hereford City and suggests generic opportunities for tree planting. Any increase in tree cover is intrinsically linked to development of green infrastructure within the city and into the surrounding countryside and settlements.

The report is intended to act as a starting point and discussion document for the development of more specific and tailored plans. Particular issues addressed include;

§ Climate change adaptation

§ Air quality and health

§ Flood attenuation

§ Biodiversity

§ Civic amenity

The full report can be downloaded here. 

Hereford City

Attached below is a draft report from Mike Townsend of the Woodland Trust  about the potential impact of increasing tree cover in Hereford city.

The study outlines the case for maintaining and increasing tree cover in Hereford and suggests the type of opportunities there might be for tree planting.

The report was intended to act as a starting point and discussion document for the development of more specific and tailored plans. Particular issues addressed include:

• Climate change adaptation
• Air quality and health
• Flood attenuation
• Biodiversity
• Civic amenity