Open menu
Learning from our urban tree bases
Sep 30, 2024
Along our road there is a patch of earth at the base of each tree, and for the past couple of years I’ve been trying to figure out what will grow in these spaces. This has been easier said than done. London tree bases are uniquely harsh places: at times prone to drought, baked by the sun, trampled, scratched at by foxes, urinated on by dogs, and strewn with litter. However, with help from a few of my neighbours I have had some good success turning some of the bases into miniature gardens full of flowers for at least part of the year. The following article is not scientific by any means, but it does share what I have learned so far and I will update it as I continue to learn from my mistakes. My hope is that it will inspire you to give something similar a go on your own street!
Why plant at tree bases?
Benefits an Individuals physical and mental health
There is evidence that contact with nature benefits an individual’s physical and mental health (see the UK Research and Innovation article).
While tree bases are small, they can provide a daily dose of flowers and wildlife to passers-by that changes with the seasons and may provide some of these benefits. Compared with the trees above them (which should be valued in their own right), I think it is likely that tree bases could be even better at providing a dose of nature to pedestrians than the trees above them because they are at eye level and more species-rich than a single tree.
Provides food and a home for local wildlife
Wildlife in the UK is in trouble, and one of the best things we can do to help it is to simply find space for it to live. Many people have a tree base if not actually on their doorstep then as close as can be that they could plant up and benefit local wildlife.
The first step is looking after the soil. Healthy soil is teeming with life, and provides the foundation for the development of a much richer ecosystem. I would guess that the soil in the empty tree bases around us is about as unhealthy as it could be, with compaction from footfall and regular spraying to kill weeds. The leaves that fall blow away or are collected by the council, so they don’t have chance to breakdown and feed the soil. I’ve therefore been adding goodness in the form of a mulch of peat-free or homemade compost.
Once the soil is looked after, plants have an easier time surviving, with improved retention of water and nutrients at their roots. A good mix of native plants and nectar-rich flowers for wildlife and beautiful flowers for your neighbours ensures that all parties are catered for. It shouldn’t take the wildlife long to arrive, with pollinators visiting the flowers, caterpillars munching on the leaves, blue tits collecting caterpillars for their young, and all else besides.
Helps reduce pollution levels and combats climate change
The following article by the Woodland Trust details why trees and vegetation are important in reducing pollution levels locally and is a fascinating read!
Admittedly you can’t plant a huge amount in a tree base but every little helps.
Benefits the local community
I have certainly benefited from this project. It makes walking along our road more interesting as I look out for wildlife and new flowers, and it has brought me closer to my neighbours. People I have never spoken to before often stop to comment on the flowers, and I have received notes, cards, packets of seeds, and even a bottle of champagne as thanks.
Preparing a Tree Base for Planting
Check if you need permission from anyone (e.g., your local council) before you begin and ask them to stop spraying the tree base with herbicide if necessary. I was lucky as a local initiative (Sharing Seeds) was able to take care of this for me.
Clear any weeds by hand (leaving any you want to save). You may need to dig out the roots of more vigorous perennial weeds using a trowel.
Put a thick layer of peat-free compost onto the surface of the soil. This is to keep moisture in and to provide goodness to the soil that will be gradually worked in by worms and other soil life. I would advise using this ‘no-dig’ method rather than mixing compost into the soil (see Charles Dowding’s website for information on the benefits of ‘ No Dig’ gardening). Adding homemade compost can help to inoculate the soil with microbes, worms and other soil life.
Brush the compost off any protruding tree roots to leave them exposed so you can avoid damaging them when you are planting.
Learning from our urban tree bases
Sep 30, 2024
Along our road there is a patch of earth at the base of each tree, and for the past couple of years I’ve been trying to figure out what will grow in these spaces. This has been easier said than done. London tree bases are uniquely harsh places: at times prone to drought, baked by the sun, trampled, scratched at by foxes, urinated on by dogs, and strewn with litter. However, with help from a few of my neighbours I have had some good success turning some of the bases into miniature gardens full of flowers for at least part of the year. The following article is not scientific by any means, but it does share what I have learned so far and I will update it as I continue to learn from my mistakes. My hope is that it will inspire you to give something similar a go on your own street!
Why plant at tree bases?
Benefits an Individuals physical and mental health
There is evidence that contact with nature benefits an individual’s physical and mental health (see the UK Research and Innovation article).
While tree bases are small, they can provide a daily dose of flowers and wildlife to passers-by that changes with the seasons and may provide some of these benefits. Compared with the trees above them (which should be valued in their own right), I think it is likely that tree bases could be even better at providing a dose of nature to pedestrians than the trees above them because they are at eye level and more species-rich than a single tree.
Provides food and a home for local wildlife
Wildlife in the UK is in trouble, and one of the best things we can do to help it is to simply find space for it to live. Many people have a tree base if not actually on their doorstep then as close as can be that they could plant up and benefit local wildlife.
The first step is looking after the soil. Healthy soil is teeming with life, and provides the foundation for the development of a much richer ecosystem. I would guess that the soil in the empty tree bases around us is about as unhealthy as it could be, with compaction from footfall and regular spraying to kill weeds. The leaves that fall blow away or are collected by the council, so they don’t have chance to breakdown and feed the soil. I’ve therefore been adding goodness in the form of a mulch of peat-free or homemade compost.
Once the soil is looked after, plants have an easier time surviving, with improved retention of water and nutrients at their roots. A good mix of native plants and nectar-rich flowers for wildlife and beautiful flowers for your neighbours ensures that all parties are catered for. It shouldn’t take the wildlife long to arrive, with pollinators visiting the flowers, caterpillars munching on the leaves, blue tits collecting caterpillars for their young, and all else besides.
Helps reduce pollution levels and combats climate change
The following article by the Woodland Trust details why trees and vegetation are important in reducing pollution levels locally and is a fascinating read!
Admittedly you can’t plant a huge amount in a tree base but every little helps.
Benefits the local community
I have certainly benefited from this project. It makes walking along our road more interesting as I look out for wildlife and new flowers, and it has brought me closer to my neighbours. People I have never spoken to before often stop to comment on the flowers, and I have received notes, cards, packets of seeds, and even a bottle of champagne as thanks.
Preparing a Tree Base for Planting
Check if you need permission from anyone (e.g., your local council) before you begin and ask them to stop spraying the tree base with herbicide if necessary. I was lucky as a local initiative (Sharing Seeds) was able to take care of this for me.
Clear any weeds by hand (leaving any you want to save). You may need to dig out the roots of more vigorous perennial weeds using a trowel.
Put a thick layer of peat-free compost onto the surface of the soil. This is to keep moisture in and to provide goodness to the soil that will be gradually worked in by worms and other soil life. I would advise using this ‘no-dig’ method rather than mixing compost into the soil (see Charles Dowding’s website for information on the benefits of ‘ No Dig’ gardening). Adding homemade compost can help to inoculate the soil with microbes, worms and other soil life.
Brush the compost off any protruding tree roots to leave them exposed so you can avoid damaging them when you are planting.
Learning from our urban tree bases
Sep 30, 2024
Along our road there is a patch of earth at the base of each tree, and for the past couple of years I’ve been trying to figure out what will grow in these spaces. This has been easier said than done. London tree bases are uniquely harsh places: at times prone to drought, baked by the sun, trampled, scratched at by foxes, urinated on by dogs, and strewn with litter. However, with help from a few of my neighbours I have had some good success turning some of the bases into miniature gardens full of flowers for at least part of the year. The following article is not scientific by any means, but it does share what I have learned so far and I will update it as I continue to learn from my mistakes. My hope is that it will inspire you to give something similar a go on your own street!
Why plant at tree bases?
Benefits an Individuals physical and mental health
There is evidence that contact with nature benefits an individual’s physical and mental health (see the UK Research and Innovation article).
While tree bases are small, they can provide a daily dose of flowers and wildlife to passers-by that changes with the seasons and may provide some of these benefits. Compared with the trees above them (which should be valued in their own right), I think it is likely that tree bases could be even better at providing a dose of nature to pedestrians than the trees above them because they are at eye level and more species-rich than a single tree.
Provides food and a home for local wildlife
Wildlife in the UK is in trouble, and one of the best things we can do to help it is to simply find space for it to live. Many people have a tree base if not actually on their doorstep then as close as can be that they could plant up and benefit local wildlife.
The first step is looking after the soil. Healthy soil is teeming with life, and provides the foundation for the development of a much richer ecosystem. I would guess that the soil in the empty tree bases around us is about as unhealthy as it could be, with compaction from footfall and regular spraying to kill weeds. The leaves that fall blow away or are collected by the council, so they don’t have chance to breakdown and feed the soil. I’ve therefore been adding goodness in the form of a mulch of peat-free or homemade compost.
Once the soil is looked after, plants have an easier time surviving, with improved retention of water and nutrients at their roots. A good mix of native plants and nectar-rich flowers for wildlife and beautiful flowers for your neighbours ensures that all parties are catered for. It shouldn’t take the wildlife long to arrive, with pollinators visiting the flowers, caterpillars munching on the leaves, blue tits collecting caterpillars for their young, and all else besides.
Helps reduce pollution levels and combats climate change
The following article by the Woodland Trust details why trees and vegetation are important in reducing pollution levels locally and is a fascinating read!
Admittedly you can’t plant a huge amount in a tree base but every little helps.
Benefits the local community
I have certainly benefited from this project. It makes walking along our road more interesting as I look out for wildlife and new flowers, and it has brought me closer to my neighbours. People I have never spoken to before often stop to comment on the flowers, and I have received notes, cards, packets of seeds, and even a bottle of champagne as thanks.
Preparing a Tree Base for Planting
Check if you need permission from anyone (e.g., your local council) before you begin and ask them to stop spraying the tree base with herbicide if necessary. I was lucky as a local initiative (Sharing Seeds) was able to take care of this for me.
Clear any weeds by hand (leaving any you want to save). You may need to dig out the roots of more vigorous perennial weeds using a trowel.
Put a thick layer of peat-free compost onto the surface of the soil. This is to keep moisture in and to provide goodness to the soil that will be gradually worked in by worms and other soil life. I would advise using this ‘no-dig’ method rather than mixing compost into the soil (see Charles Dowding’s website for information on the benefits of ‘ No Dig’ gardening). Adding homemade compost can help to inoculate the soil with microbes, worms and other soil life.
Brush the compost off any protruding tree roots to leave them exposed so you can avoid damaging them when you are planting.
