Thank you for taking a hazel tree and joining us in planting a tree in celebration of Bishop Michael's installation as the 80th Bishop of Bath and Wells. We need more trees to provide habitat for wildlife and help tackle the climate crisis. Trees capture carbon, protect our soils, help reduce flooding and can mitigate against air pollution. But planting the right tree in the right place is vital, so please follow the advice below when choosing where to plant your tree.
Get to know your Hazel tree (Corylus avellana):
- A small UK-native tree found in hedgerows, woodlands and gardens
- Often coppiced, but can reach 12m if left to grow
- Produces hazelnuts in autumn, popular with dormice and birds including woodpeckers, nuthatches, tits and jays
- Catkins in spring provide food for bees
Visit the Woodland Trust’s website where you will find further information on the hazel tree.
Finding your tree the right place to be!
The simplest place to plant your hazel tree could be your own garden, as you can be there to care for it as it establishes. Or it might be possible to plant your tree in a public space such as a playing field or park, or within grounds of a local school, business or healthcare provider.
The right place for nature…
- Do not plant your tree anywhere that supports existing valuable habitat such as wildflower-rich grassland, heathland, wetland or bog. These habitats already store carbon and planting trees on them can dry them out and/or cast shade, decreasing wildlife value and releasing more carbon than is sequestered.
- Note that churchyards and similar sites often support important wildflower grassland, so may not be the right place to plant your tree. If grass areas are mown regularly this can make wildflowers harder to spot, so be sure to check existing wildlife value before deciding where to plant your tree.
The right place for people…
If you are planting your tree in a public or community space, be sure to choose a place that:
- will not negatively impact existing or future use by the community (unless the community support the change)
- will not cause issues for access or nearby buildings/structures as the tree grows
- has the support of the community
How and where to plant your tree
For more advice on planting your tree, including practical info on tools and technique, we recommend:
If you are not sure your site is suitable, please email diocesan environment adviser: sara.emmett@bathwells.anglican.org.
Pre-planting checklist. Make sure you have…
- The landowner’s permission
- The support of whoever oversees/undertakes current management
- A plan of how the tree will be cared for in the first 3, 5, 10 years of its life and beyond
- A (biodegradable/recyclable) tree tube and stake to support your tree as it establishes
- Determined that planting the tree will not lead to loss or degradation of existing wildlife habitat
If you have taken a tree but realised you cannot find a suitable place to plant it please contact us so we can arrange for it to be planted elsewhere so that no trees are wasted. Email diocesan environment adviser: sara.emmett@bathwells.anglican.org
Downloads