Understanding and conserving the diversity of the County Durham Landscape

Trees

Trees are a highly valued features of the Durham countryside, making an enormous contribution to the character and beauty of the landscape as well as to its biodiversity and historical interest.

The majority of trees are found in woodlands – either ancient or secondary semi-natural woods made up largely of native species, or plantations, made up largely on non-natives. The remainder occur as hedgerow, field, parkland or urban trees.

Tree species composition across the county is reflected by variations in geology, soils, climate and the history of human activity. Some tree species are closely associated with one landscape type; others are more widespread in their distribution and show little change in their composition over a broad geographical range.

Downloads

For information on trees in County Durham, trees and the law, and guidance on trees on development sites download the Trees Guidelines as a PDF:

Landscape Guidelines – Trees 2009 (PDF, 1Mb)

Further Information

Information on where to get advice on the statutory protection of trees, tree problems, and grants for tree planting can be found on Durham County Council’s website: