Vandalism has been blamed as just nine per cent of saplings planted in a Brentwood park have survived. 

Just 400 of the 4,500 saplings planted in the St Faith’s Country Park area off Weald Road as part of the 2020/21 season now remain. 

Even with a 50pc mortality rate, which council officers said would not be unexpected due to the standard of planting from volunteers, the rate at St Faith’s was particularly high. 

Brentwood Borough Council is now planning to plant 14,687 this growing season – but is only intending 2,500 for St Faith’s. 

The figures were heard at the council’s community, environment and enforcement committee at Brentwood Borough Council on December 19. 

Cllr Garry White (Con) said: “In respect of the vandalism that occurred at St Faith’s Country Park, if we felt at the time that 4,500 trees were what should go in there, are we not going to treat vandalism as we would graffiti which is to battle inch-by-inch, yard-by-yard to make sure that we get what we want and the vandals don’t get what they want. And therefore, why aren’t we putting 4,000 trees back?” 

While St Faith’s recorded a 9pc survival rate, across other areas there was between a 34pc and 50pc survival rate. 

St Faith’s has been managed by Brentwood Borough Council since 1999. Before this, it formed part of the grounds of St Faith’s Hospital. 

The site is managed to benefit wildlife and biodiversity whilst still allowing informal public access. 

It covers 16 hectares of attractive open grassland fields bounded by mature hedgerows. There is also small areas of scrub and wet woodland, watercourses and ponds. 

Marcus Hotten, director of environment, told the committee: “I think at this stage I need to understand a little bit more how St Faith’s has come about. So, there’s a little bit of caution there. 

“I would rather not go ahead with 4,500 trees to see a high level of vandalism. But certainly, we’d want to establish those areas that we can and then understand why the vandalism occurred. 

“I think it’s a question of certain desire lines being planted over.” 

This winter’s proposed tree planting projects are being funded by the Urban Tree Challenge Fund and the Tree for Climate Fund. 

A joint-bid to the Forestry Commission, in partnership with the Essex Forest Initiative, secured funding of £22,500 to provide 167 street trees within the urban areas of Brentwood borough. These trees will be approximately 10ft tall, and selected for their suitability for urban landscapes. 

Equivalent match-funding of £22,500 will be required to be provided by the council to ensure that this scheme is able to go ahead. 

The Trees for Climate fund will pay for the remainder – with 10,000 in Hutton Country Park, 1,000 in Warley County Park, 1,000 in Hatch County Park and 2,500 for St Faith’s.