Tree-lined avenues restored in Corby's historic quarter as planting scheme begins

More than 200 trees are being planted on Corby's historic Lloyds estate after hundreds of diseased specimens were given the chop.
Some of the new trees that have been planted in Rockingham Road, CorbySome of the new trees that have been planted in Rockingham Road, Corby
Some of the new trees that have been planted in Rockingham Road, Corby

When the Lloyds estate was designed to house steelworkers nearly a century ago, town planners lined most of its streets with trees at regular intervals along its attractive grass verges.

In the past twenty years some of those trees have been removed and replaced with young saplings - but those were not well cared for an almost all of them have died.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

So now, the council has committed to ensuring that the gaps are filled and will plant 220 trees by the end of this winter.

The streets of Central and Lloyds ward were designed with trees in mindThe streets of Central and Lloyds ward were designed with trees in mind
The streets of Central and Lloyds ward were designed with trees in mind

In a report to Corby Borough Council's Joint Street Scene Committee meeting that takes place this afternoon, councillors will hear about the planting scheme that involves the Lloyds and Central areas of town. The report says: "We are aware of the importance of planting new trees and we are committing to plant at least one replacement tree for each tree we fell to maintain the overall current tree population.

"Between the end of November 2019 and March 2020 we are planting over 220 individual specimen trees, principally in the Lloyds and Central Ward areas of Corby.

"Most are replacements for trees removed following our cyclical inspections and recent work program. We also seek out new planting locations across Corby borough.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Great care is taken in the planning of this to ensure the correct trees are planted in the correct location suiting the environmental requirements of the species. Selection of tree species for planting is based on our aim to increase the diversity of our trees and plant the largest most appropriate tree for the location.

"Tree Species are chosen based on the principles of Right Tree, Right Place. Where space permits, there will be a presumption in favour of large, shade-producing, forest-scale trees with maximum opportunities for mitigating the effects of climate change.

"When trees are first planted they are at their most vulnerable. In Corby nearly all young trees planted over the last 20 years have died or need to be removed due to their poor condition, having been subject to malpractice such as strimmer damage and/or strangulation by failure to remove tree ties."

In order to prevent this happening again, the council will now employ a management regime for all young trees to give them the best chance for their long term survival. Young trees will receive regular maintenance for three years including weeding, watering and removal of stakes.

Tonight's meeting, which will include an update on all areas of the new joint street scene committee, is open to the public and starts at 4pm at the Corby Cube.

Related topics: