Introduction
This is an outline plan for use as a starting point for the maintenance and proper care of Lime Tree Avenue. It is expected that this will be built upon as time progresses. Lime Tree Avenue consists of around 100 lime (Tilia spp.) trees that were planted around the year 1850 to line a coach track from Uckfield town to Uckfield House which no longer exists. It is thought that the majority of trees are the common lime (Tilia x vulgaris), which grows to 46 metres and is a hybrid between large-leaved lime (Tilia platyphyllos) which grows to 40 metres and small-leaved lime (T. cordata). This tree is quoted as growing to 32 metres. Some individuals may be one or other of the non-hybrid type. However, these species are so closely related and similar, that it is probably not an important concern, except that T. cordata is now a rare native of some conservation concern, and could be planted in preference to the hybrid. Another advantage of the small-leaved lime is that it is less prone to excessive epicormic growth.
Ecology
The lime trees represent a food supply in the form of nectar, foliage and wood for many insects, especially bees, butterflies, aphids, solitary wasps and beetles. These in turn provide food for many species of birds. The birds will also use the trees as a refuge for roosting and perching, and also for nesting. Many of the trees also support a lush growth of ivy (Hedera helix) which is thought to be harmless to trees, but uses them for support. However, it can increase the weight of the tree and inhibit lateral growth. Ivy is one of the few plants that flowers in the autumn, and hence is useful to bees and other nectar seeking insects. Ivy berries ripen by the winter solstice (21st December) and become a useful food source for some birds including wood pigeons (Columba palumbus) and mistle thrushes (Turdus viscivorus). The ground below the trees supports many other plants including cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris) and stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). Both these plants are useful to insects, especially butterflies. A more detailed survey of the ground flora needs to be done in order to determine conservation objectives. However, because this is a public right of way, some judicial decorative planting and plant control could enhance the ecology of the area. It has, for example, been suggested to plant wild type daffodils (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) between the trees.
Management
The principal management of the trees should be pollarding to about 15 metres every 20 years. This has been done during the period 2006 to 2008 for all trees, and should be done again by spring 2028. The pruning of lateral branches may be necessary over a shorter period to reduce the weight and wind-opaqueness of the trees. It is expected that climate change will lead to greater windiness as time progresses, so the object of these measures is to ensure that the trees remain stable under these conditions.
Once stabilised, the trees and the right of way should be regarded as an asset to both people and wildlife. With this in mind, there are times of the year when work may be done, and times when the trees should be left undisturbed for nature to take its course.
The trees are used by many species of birds and insects for both food and refuge, especially from March to October. Therefore, any cutting should be done from November to February if possible. The only reason for not complying with this is human safety, which should take precedence at all times after careful consideration.
Weekly: Ensure litter is collected and placed in bins or removed in bags.
Monthly: Check trees for damage and health and report any problems to WDC arboriculturalist.
Yearly: comply with task list below and record date when complete:
Activity/Year | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
Tree safety check | * | * | * | * | * |
Epicormic growth cut | * | * | * | * | * |
Leaf sweep & path clear | * | * | * | * | * |
Sapling check | * | * | * | * | * |
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It is expected that there would be at least two community Task Days per year to deal with the epicormic growth and path clearance.
Ivy
There needs to be occasional checks on ivy growth on the trees to ensure that they do not get too top-heavy, and that lateral growth is not inhibited. If the ivy becomes too dominant, it should be cut as low down as possible to allow dye-back on the tree. This will look unsightly for a few years as the dead leaves gradually fall, but will allow the lime trees to regenerate their lateral growth. Some ivy should be allowed to persist, but under careful management.
Safety
Access to the avenue is open and liberal, despite the length being under the ownership of some 20 people and organisations. It is a public right of way. All owners would be expected to have public liability insurance against injury or incident caused by the structure of the avenue, trees and way surface etc.
Lime aid is a pressure group with an interest in preserving the avenue for the future, but not acquiring ownership. The group has been in correspondence with East Sussex County Council about potential adoption by the Council. However, the conditions required to meet adoption standards are so extensive and expensive (running to hundreds of thousands of pounds) that it is unlikely that Lime Aid would ever attract the resources to meet these criteria. Indeed, most people associated with Lime Aid do not wish Lime Tree Avenue to be anything more than a footpath and cycle route. However, the ESCC criteria would bring the surface up to motorised traffic standards. To this end, some illumination along its length would be an advantage for the safety of walkers and cyclists especially during the winter. But the original cobbled surface should be re-exposed and maintained along its length for foot and cycle access only. Therefore, the managers of LTA should seek to organise volunteers to clear and maintain the surface at regular intervals and produce a scheme for establishing some form of street lighting for the avenue, perhaps in the form of low level illuminated bollards, or tastefully designed lanterns or down lights along its length. There should be a notice-board established at one or both ends with safety and information notices posted at time intervals that inform the public about safety issues and maintenance events.
Interpretation
A web-site has already been produced to inform the public about LTA, and the web address should be posted on the notice board. There should also be an interpretation board established at one or both ends of the avenue. This should include a brief history of the avenue, and information about its management and maintenance with contact details for Lime Aid. There could also be occasional guided walks through the avenue, especially for the students at the Community Technical College. One of the greatest threats to the avenue is abuse from people damaging trees and dumping litter. The antidote to this is education, and generating an ethos of collective responsibility. Communication is the key to achieving this.