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Our formal ‘Victorian’ park might not seem to provide much in the way of interesting habitat for wildlife. Yet we can boast of having over 175 mature trees comprising at least 32 different species.
Over 14 years ago an earlier wildlife group planted stretches of hedge made up of a mix of native tree species and flowering shrubs which have now matured. These attract a variety of birds and insects by offering them a range of food as well as nesting and shelter sites.
We think there is potential for considerably improving on this existing biodiversity. In agreement with the Parks department, we have, in the last year or so built a pond, seeded a wildflower meadow and planted additional hawthorn and blackthorn saplings. We have recently persuaded the Parks department to replace their previous severe hedge-cutting regime and institute instead a much more wildlife friendly approach to the cutting and management of the hedges which will involve less frequent cuts and allow the plants to grow significantly thicker and higher. This has to be good news for many invertebrate species as well as hedge nesting birds and birds that just use the hedge as a food resource.
We organise regular morning birdwatch meetings on the third Sunday of the month, usually from September to June, to follow the changing bird populations during the year. Photographs of the natural history of the park are regularly added to the website which record the natural wildlife and seasonal changes taking place in the park.
The next major project we are just beginning to plan is the development of an area with woodland and shade loving plants under the mature trees situated at the back of the depot.
If you would like to help in any way in developing the park as a more interesting and attractive place for wildlife, or just to be kept informed of any news and developments relating to the animals and plants of the park, then you are most welcome to join our group; please contact us through this website.
Jo Corke and Simon Randolph.
Over 14 years ago an earlier wildlife group planted stretches of hedge made up of a mix of native tree species and flowering shrubs which have now matured. These attract a variety of birds and insects by offering them a range of food as well as nesting and shelter sites.
We think there is potential for considerably improving on this existing biodiversity. In agreement with the Parks department, we have, in the last year or so built a pond, seeded a wildflower meadow and planted additional hawthorn and blackthorn saplings. We have recently persuaded the Parks department to replace their previous severe hedge-cutting regime and institute instead a much more wildlife friendly approach to the cutting and management of the hedges which will involve less frequent cuts and allow the plants to grow significantly thicker and higher. This has to be good news for many invertebrate species as well as hedge nesting birds and birds that just use the hedge as a food resource.
We organise regular morning birdwatch meetings on the third Sunday of the month, usually from September to June, to follow the changing bird populations during the year. Photographs of the natural history of the park are regularly added to the website which record the natural wildlife and seasonal changes taking place in the park.
The next major project we are just beginning to plan is the development of an area with woodland and shade loving plants under the mature trees situated at the back of the depot.
If you would like to help in any way in developing the park as a more interesting and attractive place for wildlife, or just to be kept informed of any news and developments relating to the animals and plants of the park, then you are most welcome to join our group; please contact us through this website.
Jo Corke and Simon Randolph.
Discussion Forum
The Value of Different Tree Species for Invertebrates and Lichens 4 Replies
Here's an interesting web page that lists the most important tree species for associated invertebrates and lichens. Parks Department take note!
Started by Des Bowring. Last reply by Simon Randolph Oct 11.
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Comment by Simon Randolph on November 8, 2009 at 11:13am -
Hi Wildlifers,
Nov 8th ‘09
Hugh Holden, the Chair of Bristol Tree Forum has requested, through the Bristol Parks Forum email newsletter, for any suggestions concerning planting of trees in Bristol. The Tree Forum was formed to bring together organisations interested in the management and maintenance of council trees in Bristol, including trees in our streets, parks and green spaces.
The aims of the Bristol Tree Forum are to:
• protect and enhance our urban trees in streets, parks, gardens and all open spaces
• encourage Bristol City Council to ensure the replacement of trees that have been (and continue to be) removed
• establish sufficient funding to ensure the retention of mature trees in our city and slow the present rate of felling
• establish sufficient funding for the planting of new urban trees
• stabilise then increase the urban canopy cover
• work with Bristol City Council to plan for "climate proofing" our city in accordance with predicted urban temperature increases in the next 20 years
• argue for a formulaic approach to ensure that Bristol achieves a sustainable balance between the built form / hard surface and tree canopy cover
• provide a mechanism for open consultation on urban trees issues between local community groups, interested professional bodies and several Bristol City Council departments
• Promote greater understanding of the values of amenity trees and stay up-to-date with current thinking, policy and research
Simon Randolph sent this suggestion to Hugh Holden of Bristol Tree Forum:
A suggestion for your Tree Forum tree strategy plan.
St Andrews Park is well endowed with specimen trees - over 170- but I would guess that most of these were planted when the park was first constructed. We therefore have a beautiful collection (about 32 species) of mainly very large mature trees. But because of this, there is a very real danger that the majority of these will tend to reach the end of their lives over a fairly short time span, perhaps during the next 25 to 50 years. I don't think the Council has planned for this eventuality, though it has generally planted new trees to replace the occasional old or diseased specimens that have died in the past. I believe it now needs to be proactive and plan ahead for the time (which may well be soon) when there will be a significant increase in the frequency with which the park's mature trees start to die off. i.e. trees need to start being planted now to help bridge (literally) the gap when these old trees all start to die over a period of a few years. I would think that the minimum number of new trees that should be considered for such a project would need to be in the order of 30 to 50. The only problem would be to ensure that, wherever possible, the young replacements are planted near to the old specimens while remaining clear of their canopy/shade.
If such an idea is accepted, I would like to further suggest that at least some of the replacements should be oak, of which we have none at present and which would have the potential of significantly increasing the park's biodiversity, an important aim of the Friends of St Andrews Park Wild Life Group.
In conclusion, it is possible, perhaps probable, that if the council could give an estimated cost of this, we could get our Neighbourhood Partnership to agree to provide some of the finance for the planting.
Simon
Below is the reply Simon received from Miles Harris, and below that, the reply Miles had from Russell Horsey, the Senior Arboricultural officer for BCC. Clearly this is not a problem unique to St Andrews Park. But we will need to persist with this issue with the Council, otherwise it will doubtless get forgotten.
…………………….
Hi Simon,
Following the e-mail enquiring about planting trees in St Andrews
Park, I contacted our arboricultural department and they responded with the attached e-mail. I hope this answers any queries you had.
Kind regards
Miles Harris, Community Park Officer (Central)
…………………………………………………………………
Subject: Re: Fwd: New Trees St Andrews Park
We would need a structured planting plan for the entire park as we have started with other parks such as Victoria Park, which would then
need consultation and formal agreement.
This would come through PGSS if the site was seen as a priority. The resources would then be needed to pay for additional Landscape Design
time and Tree Officer Time to do this.
This is especially important for areas such as St Andrews Park, due to is current structure. Can you feed back to the relevant parties please.
Until that time we will have to continue with replacing the historic planting structure as and when trees die/fail.
This problem is not specific to St Andrews but across the city and I am hoping that PGSS will kick-start parks improvement plans (which
will include Tree Planting as an element).
Regards
Russell
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