Trees in Hartlip
Trees in Hartlip
One of the very important and highly characteristic features of the Parish of Hartlip is the number and variety of trees which are found all over the Parish.
Many have stood for a great many years, others are younger. The landscape of the Parish is richer for them and they play a significant part in contributing to the overall greenness which makes the Parish attractive to so many people.
In about 2010 the Parish Council planted a great number of saplings to replace a defunct hedgerow on the Allotments and this hedgerow is now home and feeding ground to many birds.
Since then members of the Parish Council have planted over 250 further trees and saplings around the Parish.
The project to continue the hedgerow re-establishment on the boundary of the Allotments has been extended with many saplings planted and hopefully more still will be planted later in 2023.
A large number of saplings were planted by the Parish Council at the back and sides of The Recreation Ground in 2021.
Most recently and importantly, in December 2022, seven English oak trees were planted on The Parkland to commemorate the seventy-year reign of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
‘The Queen’s Seven Oaks’ are accompanied by an appropriate plaque
They form part of the national ‘Queen’s Green Canopy Project’ which has been heavily promoted with everyone encouraged to preserve and plant trees and hedgerows.
Oak trees were chosen as a tree of longevity and so appropriate for commemorative planting. Oaks can live for 500 – 1000 years. The oak is also the national tree of England and represents strength and endurance, qualities often attributed to the late Queen.
Parish residents were informed of the plan for the planting of ‘The Queen’s Oaks’ to mark, as a Parish, the incredible reign and service of Her Majesty in Forum items and on the Parish Council website at intervals during 2022.
The seven oak trees are protected by a substantial fence creating an enclosure round them to ensure that the horses presently grazing on The Parkland are kept very distant from them and this fence, in turn, also protects the horses. Professional advice was taken regarding this project.
During the coming year the Parish Council will be looking at the possibility of planting more saplings and trees around the Parish of Hartlip.
The Parish Council is grateful to those residents who have planted trees on their land and those who work to care for and preserve those already in place.
The Parish Council is assisted in its work in this matter by Peter Blandon the Parish Council Tree Warden who is at present undertaking a survey of the trees on The Parkland. The Parkland is a valuable and tranquil green space over which residents of this Parish may roam, accessing it from the northern end where a footpath runs. Its landscape is special and trees are an integral part of it.
The planting of these many trees contributes directly to the ambition of KCC to increase tree cover in Kent by 1.5 million (a tree for every person in Kent) as an important part of the county’s response to the world-wide climate and ecological crisis. Tree planting supports the recovery of wildlife, provides natural climate solutions and enriches people’s lives.
KCC’s Tree Establishment Strategy is named ‘Plan Tree’.
Trees in Conservation Areas are important features adding to the character of the area and this is particularly the case in Hartlip’s Conservation Area.
Proposals to fell, lop, top or uproot a tree in a Conservation Area, not already covered by a Tree Preservation Order, require six weeks’ notice in writing to be given to Swale Borough Council.
On a sober note it should be understood that if a tree in a Conservation Area is cut down, uprooted or wilfully destroyed, wilfully damaged, topped or lopped in a manner likely to destroy it, can carry a fine of up to £20,000 on summary conviction, or on indictment be liable to an unlimited fine.