GovWire

Two case studies looking at how Tree Health Pilot (THP) grants helped manage or fell spruce trees, restock woodland and maintain newly planted trees.

These relate to the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle being present within the Ips typographus demarcated area in the south-east of England, known as the proactive spruce removal area.

Hole Park Estate

Key facts include:

• location: Kent
• land type: Norway spruce plantation and other remnant spruce around estate from old Christmas tree plantations
• area: 1.13 ha plantation and 185 individual spruce trees (Norway, Serbian and blue) across a 907 ha estate
• area restocked: 1.13 ha
• species restocked: oak, wild service, field maple, hornbeam, Scots pine, yew, wild cherry, holly, hawthorn, blackthorn
• grants applied for: felling, biosecurity, restocking, maintenance
• timeframe: 12 months from expression of interest to completion of felling and restocking

Moorlands

Key facts include:

• location: East Sussex
• land type: peri-urban countryside house and garden
• number of hectares: 0.14 ha Norway spruce in 2.6 ha garden
• number of trees restocked: 100
• species restocked: hornbeam, small-leaved lime, hazel, oak, birch
• grants applied for: felling, restocking, maintenance
• timeframe: 6 months from expression of interest to completion of felling