A new Tree Advisory Board will help plan and coordinate tree planting in Jersey in response to the devastation caused by Storm Ciarán.
And the process for the listing of trees is to be reviewed, modernised and strengthened to ensure the Island’s most important trees are included.
The Minister for the Environment, Deputy Steve Luce, is forming the new group which will include experts from the National Trust for Jersey, Jersey Trees for Life and the Jersey Farmers’ Union as well as government representatives from the Natural Environment, Regulation, Cabinet Office and Infrastructure teams.
He said: ‘We saw the loss of so many trees during and after Storm Ciarán, so I am particularly keen to work with the new group to focus on the protection, planting and regeneration of trees and hedgerows.’
Deputy Luce explained that under the current system, trees can be formally protected where they have high amenity value. Most often, they are given protection when they are the subject of some type of threat, usually a development proposal. As a result, the number of trees that are protected by being listed is relatively low and may not currently include the Island’s most important trees.
‘I will be bringing forward a strengthening of the listing process for trees. We are beginning work to review all aspects of the process, including the legal framework upon which it is based; the criteria used for assessment; and the policy that will determine which trees might be protected using this tool.’
He added that he will be working with the Tree Advisory Board and other key stakeholders to develop a proportionate system for protecting Jersey’s trees and to ensure planting and regeneration is done in a coordinated and carefully planned way.
