Bromley’s tree management strategy policies

Encouraging biodiversity in parks and green spaces

The council will seek to maintain a diverse range of species in age structure and will promote planting of native species and of local provenance where possible, with reference to the park’s character and open space management plan.

The council recognises that encouraging a varied age structure in its tree stock to benefit biodiversity.

Over-mature trees and those with dead wood and cavities provide valuable wildlife habitats particularly for bats, birds and invertebrates.

The borough’s woodlands are also particularly important, containing a substantial number of veteran trees which support many insects, many of which are rare.

The council will achieve this policy aim through:

• Planting
• Thinning
• Retaining over-mature and veteran trees and selecting specimens for succession.

Veteran and ancient trees will be retained unless they present an unreasonable risk to public safety.