Trees in Parks

In historic parks and gardens, trees may be important for many reasons.  They will shape the structure of the historic design. Shelterbelts, plantations and woodlands were used to frame designed landscapes as well being functional features for the garden, or cover for field sports, or as part of the estate’s forestry enterprise.

Individual trees, clumps, groups and avenues were used to create vistas, views, and set scenes and as such are key to the architecture of the park and garden. Trees were also used in an ornamental way. Trees notable for their size, form, age, species or colours were used to add interest and highlights. Many historic parks and gardens contain specimen trees, and important collections of trees, and trees planted as commemorations. Traditional parkland management creates its own characteristic trees with their large spreading canopies neatly trimmed to the ‘grazing line’ by browsing cattle and deer.

The layout of trees and species in parks and gardens can often indicate the period or periods of historical development. In repairing and restoring historic parks and gardens it is important that replacement or new planting is historically accurate. Poorly designed or sited tree planting or inappropriate species and tree forms can harm historic parkland. A tree survey will often be needed in order to inform repair and restoration work.

Many important historic parks and gardens are included on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England.   Inclusion on the register is a material consideration for any planning application within or affecting the historic site, but it confers no specific protection.   In particular it does not give any special protection to trees within the area as, for example, Conservation Area Status does.