2.3.2 Species selection

Species selection for street trees:

MUST

A variety of species of street trees must be used across the site to ensure long term resilience.

MUST

Species selection on medium and large sites (50 homes and above) must follow the 10:20:30 rule, i.e., no more than 10 of trees of the same species, 20 trees of the same genus, and 30% trees of the same family.

MUST

Each street must include at least two different tree species to improve biodiversity and protect the long-term resilience of the tree network.

SHOULD

The following are examples of street tree species that could be appropriate, although this always depends on a site's context. Species that are also suitable for use as 'feature' trees are shown in bold.

Italian Cypress
Scots Pine (Sentinel Pine)
Bhutan Pine • Serbian Spruce
Austrian Pine
Brewer's Weeping Spruce
Field Maple
Maidenhair Tree
Hornbeam
Box Elder
Cut Leaf Alder
Norway Maple
Cypress Oak (Koster Oak)
Upright Hawthorn
Japanese Rowan
Serviceberry
Snake Bark Maple

SHOULD

The following ‘feature trees’ should be selected for their distinctive colour, form, and year-round seasonal interest for public open spaces:

Pedunculate Oak, Purple Beech, Tulip Tree, Wellingtonia, Coast Redwood, Swamp Cypress, Dawn Cypress, Indian Bean Tree, Indian Horse Chestnut, Silver Maple, Sugar Maple and London Plane.

Species selection for Natural Areas and Existing Habitats:

SHOULD

For existing habitats and natural greenspaces, native species should be used to enhance these features. Species appropriate to the area and habitat type should be used. All existing woodlands and hedgerows must be enhanced with a planted buffer from new development.

SHOULD

A variety of contextually appropriate hedge species should be used to support seasonal interest, biodiversity and resilience. Where a development site interfaces with the open countryside, a native hedging mix be used. An example of an appropriate species mix for native hedge in Cheshire West could be: 70% hawthorn, 10% hazel , 5% holly, 5% elder, 5% blackthorn, 3% dog rose, 2% fruit (excluding cherry).

SHOULD

For woodlands, species should include the following, and should be selected appropriate to the type of woodland present:

Alder: Alnus glutinosa

Beech: Fagus sylvatica

Birch: Betula pendula

Dog rose: Rosa canina

Elder: Sambucus nigra

Field maple: Acer campestre

Hawthorn: Crataegus monogyna

Hazel: Corylus avellana

Hornbeam: Carpinus betulus

Holly: Ilex aquifolium

Oak: Quercus robur (English oak)

Wild cherry: Prunus avium

Willow: Salix alba (White willow)

SHOULD

For enhancement of other habitats, such as grassland, ponds and watercourses, appropriate native species should be used