CN240235 – Tree Planting Stock

The Soft Landscape Team undertake maintenance and enhancement of the highway environment and is seeking to secure the provision of containerised tree planting stock.

Tree stock is required for planting at various locations throughout the county for the next three years between 21st April 2025 – 20th March 2028.

The contract consists of a "Main Stock List" stating species and quantity required - committing the council to purchase a fixed quantity of trees per each year of the agreement.

Note that additional quantities may also be requested from the Main Stock List on an ad hoc basis according to seasonal demand (subject to stock availability).

Additionally stock from the "Extra Optional Species list" will be requested on an ad-hoc basis according to demand (subject to stock availability) by the Council.

The supplier will be required to supply all the tree planting stock with fixed pricing, in accordance with the tree supply specification below and the recommendations set out in BS8545:2014 ‘Trees: from nursery to independence in the landscape – Recommendations’.

The cost per unit and any alternatives to the requested species and size of tree should be completed on the schedule provided. Failure to provide the details provided in the requested format will result in the quotation being rejected.

Tree stock should meet the following specification:

• Containerised trees with a minimum girth of 12-14cm and an appropriate minimum container size of 45l (unless specified) which have been grown in the container for minimum of 12 months.

• Root pruning should have been undertaken at appropriate intervals to allow the development of healthy and dense fibrous root system.

• The root flare of all trees should be clearly visible on the surface of the container whilst the root system should be free from circling or girdling roots.

• The crown structure should be free from any dieback. All foliage should be free of significant leaf lesions or abnormal discolouration. Extension growth, foliar density and leaf size should be typical of the species and/or cultivar.

• There should be no epicormic growth emerging from the stem or rootstock of the tree.

• The tree should have a single main stem free from any significant flattening, wounding or inclusions.

Trees should ideally be grown in the UK and be of good local provenance. Imported trees should spend at least one full growing season on a UK nursery, with all trees provided being subjected to a full pest and disease control programme, tested for physiological health and regular DEFRA or APHA inspection before they are planted in the UK landscape.

The supplier must be Plant Healthy Certified and be able to provide evidence of their biosecurity control programme, together with a comprehensive audit trail of when the imported trees were received and how long they have been on the nursery, should be available. This audit trail should allow for a full recall in the event that any pest and or disease problems may subsequently manifest themselves in the landscape.

Contract value : £345000 - £585000