Ilkley Trees: Our Urban Forest
Sue Stevens (via Zoom)
Wednesday 24th November 2021
During the first Covid lockdown in 2020, Sue and her husband Neil began developing tree trails around Ilkley. The first tree trail Sue and Neil devised is a circular walk in Ilkley called ‘Introduction to Trees’ which came out in summer 2020 and a total of 4 trails have now been produced. All the trails are available online via their website (ilkleytrees.org.uk) and 3 are available in booklet form (free of charge) from the Grove Bookshop and the Ilkley Visitor Centre.
Sue talked about what is meant by an Urban Forest, why they are important and the threats they face. Sue said that the definition that’s usually used for an Urban Forest is ‘All the trees within an urban district’. Urban Forests are important for numerous reasons including improved air quality, storm water attenuation, noise reduction, habitats for wildlife and improved mental and physical health. For many people, urban trees are the only trees they come into contact with.
Sue gave an account of the tree cover in the Ilkley district, including the main woodlands and some notable individual trees. The most important wood in the Ilkley district is Middleton Wood, an ancient semi-natural woodland. Sue also talked about Heber’s Gill, Wheatley Raikes and St Margaret’s Park. Sue gave some examples of notable individual trees such as a magnificent ash by Manor House (unfortunately with early signs of ash die back), an Indian bean tree in Spence Gardens and some rather special Japanese Maples.
There are some young self seeded trees on the lower parts of Ilkley moor which have caused some controversy. The moor is a SSSI due to ground nesting birds, but Sue doesn’t think there are any ground nesting birds in the lower part of the moor as there are too many people and dogs. Sue thinks the plan is to allow the young trees to stay, but to remove the invasive non-native species. However, care will need to be taken that the SSSI status is not put at risk.
Sue also talked about the management of the trees in Ilkley. Several cities in the UK, including Bradford, have been awarded the title Tree City of the World by the UN for their intention to plant trees. The Government has awarded £15,000 to Bradford so that a tree can be planted for every primary school child. Bradford Council is not currently able to inspect their existing trees as often as they should as they are understaffed. Bradford Council has signed up to a scheme called Trees for Streets, where you can tell the council if you want a tree in your street. If the council agree the site is suitable, they will plant the tree if you agree to make a donation and water it.
Sue talked about some tree planting that has taken place recently in Ilkley and the threats many existing trees face. Many young street trees die in the UK because they haven’t managed to get enough water. Sue ended the talk by saying that we have a good Urban Forest in Ilkley but we are currently losing more trees that we’re planting. Sue thinks Ilkley should have a visionary tree strategy.
Text by Susan Simcock