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Coastal Tree Innovation at Thanet District Council

Project:

Coastal Tree Innovation

Client:

Thanet District Council

Hillier Project Manager:

William Innes-Taylor

Plant Production:

Hillier Nurseries

Project Overview

Thanet District Council is delivering a forward-thinking urban tree strategy within one of the UK’s most challenging coastal environments. Led by Tree & Biodiversity Co-ordinator Phoebe Cullingworth, the programme focuses on resilient, climate-adaptive tree planting to strengthen canopy cover and biodiversity across parks and public spaces.

Planting in Thanet presents significant challenges, including salt-laden winds, free-draining and nutrient-poor soils, and increasing climate pressures. In response, Thanet has implemented a strategic and carefully considered species selection programme over successive planting seasons, combining reliable coastal performers with progressive trial species.

The initiative supports long-term canopy resilience, biodiversity enhancement and improved tree equity across the district.

Strategic Species Selection

A diverse and forward-thinking species mix has been curated to perform in exposed coastal conditions while future-proofing the urban forest.

Trial and climate-adaptive selections include:

Paulownia tomentosa
Tsuga heterophylla
Zelkova serrata
Ostrya carpinifolia
Nyssa sylvatica

Alongside these, disease-resistant elm cultivars from the Ulmus Resista® range have been incorporated, including:

Ulmus ‘Rebona’
Ulmus ‘New Horizon’

This approach supports both heritage elm restoration and long-term canopy sustainability. The planting strategy balances experimentation with proven resilience, ensuring robust performance while expanding species diversity beyond traditional coastal palettes

Delivery & Establishment

Beyond species selection, Thanet play an active role in delivery, planting, and ensuring structured aftercare programmes are in place. This hands-on approach is critical to successful establishment within exposed coastal landscapes.

Careful site assessment, appropriate planting methods and ongoing monitoring contribute to strong early establishment rates and long-term performance.

Hillier has supported the programme by supplying high-quality stock and assisting with species suitability discussions for less conventional urban and coastal conditions.

The Result

Thanet’s parks and open spaces are benefiting from increased diversity, improved canopy cover and a strengthened approach to climate resilience. The programme demonstrates how strategic tree selection and proactive management can enhance urban nature, even in demanding environments.

By trialling species suited to free-draining, coastal and urban conditions, Thanet District Council is building a more adaptable and biodiverse urban forest for future generations.

Testimonials

Will commented:
“Working with someone so passionate and driven to select the right tree for the right place is an absolute pleasure.”

Phoebe (pictured left) commented:
“It’s been brilliant working with Hillier to increase the diversity of Thanet District Council’s tree stock and improve canopy cover and tree equity in the region. We are trailing many species that might thrive in less favourable urban, coastal, and free draining conditions and they have been able to support with this. It feels great to be showing our parks and open spaces a little love so that residents and tourists hopefully feel more connected to the urban nature around us.”