Tree planting on reclaimed land

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

I'm looking at a situation where a fairly broad range of trees have been planted (late 70's - mid 80's) on a landscaped area of former salt water creek and reclaimed land fill which is now public access recreational land.

 

Over a number of site visits a couple of notable observations are apparent:

 

(1) There appear to be greater than might be expected exposed surface roots.

 

(2) Many trees "appear" to have been planted proud of the surrounding soil level.

 

(3) Notwithstanding the recent high winds, there exists a leaning habit and full / partial wind throw in the prevailing wind direction.

 

I'm going to start with this (http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/fcin078.pdf/$FILE/fcin078.pdf) and look through the noted references for any info that might support (or exclude) an early thought that perhaps ground settlement in the decades after planting may have lowered the ground level surrounding trees, but that the formative rooting systems may have "held up" some of the soil in the immediate area, but that now trees are standing proud and are suffering wind throw rather more than they ought to.

 

Anyone encountered ground settlement on in-fill or reclaimed land previously or have any suggestions for good reference sources??

 

It's an interesting (but perhaps not uncommon) scenario where the current land owner is potentially going to have to pick up financial and liability issues for the (maybe) poorly considered actions of their predecessors of 40 years ago.

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

Looking positive here.....

 

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/FCTP022.pdf/$FILE/FCTP022.pdf

 

Need to find something that relates timescales of in-fill land settlement and the potential effect it may (or not) have on trees planted in the settling area.....

 

Back to Google....

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

Well, it's looks like a great deal of work has been done on species suitability, the ability of land fill 'cap' to resist root penetration and survivability rates....

 

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120919132719/http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/825167.pdf

 

Enough reading and pointers to be getting on with!