Tavistock is situated in a sheltered, well-watered valley which supports fast tree growth. It has a good urban tree stock which is possibly amongst the best of any market town in Britain. The older residential areas, with large houses and gardens, include many forest-sized trees although these are reaching late maturity and, ideally, it would be desirable to have a wider spread in the age range. In Plymouth Road, the copper beeches by the cemetery are a major feature, while only one fully mature copper beech still remains between Drake Statue and Bedford Square. Where succession planting has taken place, smaller species have been used in most cases in order to lessen the maintenance load. These are generally shorter-lived and do not have the same dramatic impact on the townscape.

The tree cover is sparser where the urban fabric is denser, such as in Duke Street. A notable exception, however, is a Mimosa tree in Paddon’s Row which shows just what can be achieved in a very tight corner.

The Town Council is a major landlord in the town and owns about 600 trees. During a recent inspection in its two cemeteries, 26 trees were condemned initially but this was subsequently reduced to 14 after protests by concerned residents and a further inspection by another arboriculturalist. This experience highlights that the requirements of insurance companies are forcing a very cautious approach to risk management.

Conserving and improving the town’s tree stock is best done through agreed strategies rather than relying solely on the protection that comes with conservation area status or Tree Preservation Orders. The significant new housing planned over the coming years will present a major opportunity to include more trees as part of good urban design.