A pan British German survey was conducted to explore the how the availability and use of formal
standards influence the planting and aftercare of street trees. A desktop study
into the standards was undertaken and established that the formal standards
available in Germany were more up to date and systematic than those in the UK. A
postal and online questionnaire was forwarded to a total of 65 local authorities
divided between London and the Berlin Brandenburg Metropolitan Region. The
response from the London local authorities was just over 61%, marginally higher
than that of their Berlin counterparts at 55%. The target population and
response rate was too small to distinguish statistical trends but there were a
number of remarkable and distinct differences and similarities between the
results from the two local authorities. The local authorities of both countries
faced almost identical challenges when attempting to establish street trees but
this was in stark contrast to methods of tree planting, and aftercare operations
where both countries differed. In Germany, the work was methodical and the
operations were consistent with those described in their formal standards. The
results suggest that were formal standards to be improved the level of tree care
would improve to a corresponding degree.
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