[7.3] Biosecurity ‘Biosecurity’ refers to a set of precautions that aim to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful organisms. Since December 2019, EU law has required all plants for planting sold between professionals to have a ‘plant passport’ that allows traceability to help protect from the introduction of harmful pests and disease. Biosecurity measures also play a role in tree planting and management procedures. Cork City Council will develop a biosecurity protocol and incorporate the protocol into the Cork City Council Public Tree Management Policies.
ACTION 23. Develop a biosecurity protocol and incorporate it into the Cork City Council Public Tree Management Policies.
[7.4] Right Tree, Right Place Cork City Council supports the maxim ‘Right tree, right place.’ If the needs of the tree are not matched to the location in which it is planted, it can result in both poor tree health and conflict with surrounding landuse. These, in turn, can lead to increased maintenance requirements, decline in tree health, and in the longer term, removal of the tree.
Some examples of ‘wrong tree, wrong place’ include trees that:
• Are invasive species (e.g., Cherry Laurel ( Prunus laurocerasus ) and Rhododendron ponticum );
• May impact biosecurity by introducing fungus, pests, or other biological threats;
• Cannot thrive in the environmental conditions in which it is planted such as wrong soil type, too exposed, too wet, etc. for the tree species;
• Do not have adequate soil space to establish a healthy root system;
• Do not have enough space to grow into, likely bringing the tree into conflict with other uses and development around it when it reaches maturity;
• Are too small to provide a sense of scale or maturity in new developments;
• Have thorns or have poisonous fruit or bark and are planted where they could cause harm to humans or pets; or • Are over-planted in areas that are already valuable to biodiversity, such as species-rich grassland or wetlands.
Further guidance notes to encourage ‘Right Tree, Right Place’ will be developed.
ACTION 24. Develop guidance notes—including links to existing Irish resources—to encourage ‘Right Tree, Right Place’.
[ Design, Planting and Aftercare ]
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