Tree Group

Trees are essential for absorption of carbon and support for biodiversity, as well as providing areas of beauty and tranquillity which are vital for our physical and mental health. Transition Wilmslow Tree Group’s vision is to create opportunities for residents to plant, nurture, and care for trees in Wilmslow and its landscape. Although we are lucky to have some people in our group who are extremely knowledgeable about trees, many of us got involved simply because we love trees and want to learn more about them.

The Tree Group works collaboratively to facilitate new and replacement plantings that enhance existing trees and habitats, improving biodiversity, residents' quality of life, and resilience to climate change. Our goal is to achieve a 20% tree increase by 2050 across the area covered by Wilmslow’s Neighbourhood Plan (https://www.wilmslowtowncouncil.gov.uk/council/wilmslow-neighbourhood-plan/ ).

Key Focus Areas of Wilmslow tree group:

1. Build relationships with key stakeholders, partners, and grant-funding bodies to identify and

map priority sites within the Wilmslow Landscape Character Assessment (https://www.wilmslowtowncouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/101/2023/06/Low-resolution-final-print-version_0.pdf) and enhance habitat connectivity.

2. Address restrictive planting policies, ensure best practices, protect significant unprotected

trees, and contribute to future tree-related developments.

3. Create a communication strategy to inform and engage the public through a website,

events, and activities like pruning training, fostering mutually beneficial relationships.

4. Update the plan of action annually for the Tree Group to progress the strategy

5. Get the right trees planted in the right places and have fun doing it!

The rationale is set out in full in our Strategic Framework for Trees and Woodland in Wilmslow, published in February 2025. Links to this and to a summary document are provided at the bottom of this webpage, along with our Action Plan for 2025.

The group has been working with Cheshire East Council to identify areas of public land for planting, as well as planting in our own Community Gardens and in people's own gardens. The winter months offer the best opportunities for tree planting.

The Bad News

Since 2020, Transition Wilmslow Tree Group has been trying to get replacement trees planted along the streets of Wilmslow where we have lost trees. The planting on such locations is strictly controlled by Cheshire East Council (CEC and in particular their Highways Department).

Originally, we were told that planting in general was not possible as they were devising a policy. In March ’23 they finally produced an interim policy (Highway Tree Safety maintenance and inspections, and the code of Practice for Highway Tree Safety inspection). They also reported their intention to produce a Highway tree planting policy by September 2024.
The problem with this interim policy is that it lays out 13 stringent criteria for Highway planting including:
· Trees must be planted within a minimum of 1.1m verge width
· The tree must be a minimum of 3m from the edge of the carriageway.

Not only does this policy effectively rule out almost all existing tree planting sites within town, it also prevents replacement street trees being planted when the existing mature trees reach the end of their natural life. Established avenues of trees are interspersed with tree stumps in gaps between the trees.

The Good News

Our campaign has now also spread throughout the new organisation of tree groups across the county, known as the Cheshire Tree Alliance (https://www.transitionwilmslow.org/cta). This campaign has led to a proposed collaboration in Lacey Green to work out in a practical way how Cheshire East Highways’ policy can be improved. The latest mailing from the Cheshire Tree Alliance sets out the current position.

Some Tree Group Projects

The Tiny Forest at Wilmslow High School

A Tiny Forest is a dense, fast growing native woodland, ideally suited to urban environments where nature is needed most. The first UK Tiny Forest was planted in 2020, since when more than 150 have been planted. The charity provide the trees, prepare the site for planting, and provide support to the community to help us enjoy, monitor and manage the woodland for biodiversity, carbon capture and our wellbeing and enjoyment. More details about Tiny Forests can be found here https://earthwatch.org.uk/get-involved/tiny-forest

In 2024 a Tiny Forest was planted on land owned by Wilmslow High School. This was thanks to a generous donation by the internationally acclaimed rock band, The 1975, all alumnae of Wilmslow High School to the charity Earthwatch. Lisa Johnson liaised with the school, the council and Earthwatch to identify a suitable place and to organise the planting. Around 60 people, including young families, came along to plant 600 native trees. Some of these are now over 3m tall.

If you would like to help monitor the Forest with maintenance, community engagement or science by becoming a Tree Keeper, email tinyforest@earthwatch.org.uk

The Knutsford Road Tree Trail

If you download the TICL View phone app, it takes you to the Knutsford Tree Trail, where you can see individual trees with a photo and some text, so you can follow a self-guided trail. This is a work in progress. Please click here to see the master document and check back soon to see what's happening. Other trails will be added as we learn to use this app effectively.

We especially welcome new members with strong digital/IT expertise who might be able to support us with this and other mapping projects.