Ruskins Tree Planting
Project Information
Client:
Ruskins
Project:
Basingstoke
Overview
As part of the council’s process for adopting newly developed green spaces, all trees included within the original planning conditions were required to be healthy, established and properly maintained. During the handover assessment, it became clear that a significant number of the newly planted trees had failed—likely due to the pressures and disturbances associated with the development phase. We were commissioned to replace these losses by planting approximately 80 heavy standard trees, ensuring the landscape met the required standards for adoption.
Challenges
Several factors contributed to the complexity of this project:
High Failure Rate: A large proportion of the original trees had died, requiring extensive replacement planting to bring the site back into compliance.
Heavy Standard Stock: Planting mature, heavy standard trees demands careful handling, precise installation and appropriate soil preparation to ensure successful establishment.
Site Disturbance: Previous construction activity had impacted soil quality and structure, requiring additional preparation to support long-term tree health.
Ongoing Establishment Needs: Newly planted heavy standards require consistent aftercare, particularly during their first year, to ensure survival and strong root development.
Solution
We delivered a comprehensive replanting and establishment programme designed to restore the site’s green infrastructure to the standard required by the council:
High-Quality Planting: Around 80 heavy standard trees were installed with meticulous attention to planting depth, staking, irrigation and soil improvement.
Professional Aftercare: For the following year, we were contracted to provide regular watering, maintenance and monitoring to support establishment.
Proactive Management: Our team carried out inspections, adjusted supports, controlled weeds and ensured each tree received the correct level of care throughout the growing season.
Exceptional Survival Rate: Thanks to consistent maintenance and high-quality installation, 99% of the trees successfully established, allowing the site to be handed over to the council the following year without issue.
The project was completed to a high standard, restoring the landscape and ensuring the long-term success of the newly adopted green space.
