Highway Tree Removal FAQs

Where tree removals are required, each will usually be replaced by Herts County Council (HCC).  

Each location will be assessed to establish if it is appropriate to replacement a felled tree.

If it the same location is appropriate and subject to funding it would be carried during the tree planting season which is November to March.

Replacement trees will be a mix of species that have been selected to ensure a resilient highways tree stock. Herts County Council  plant a mix of native trees, and compact cultivars of native trees, as well as an increasing number of species that originate from warmer drier climates. These trees do still provide benefit to UK wildlife but are also far more likely to survive to maturity in an urban setting. This future-proofs the benefits of urban trees and secures them for many more generations of Hertfordshire residents.

We maintain a huge stock of trees and have to carry out safety critical work throughout the year.

During the bird nesting season wildlife assessments are carried out by the contractor on each tree prior to commencing any work.  If active nests are found the contractor pause work and consult with Officers.  Work will postpone if it were safe to do so.

We operate with  a three year rolling safety survey program.  This means that every highway trees is checked once every three years.

Nature and the environment are very important but public safety must come first. All the trees we manages have a three year rolling safety survey inspection.  This means that every highway trees is checked once every three years.

Sometimes it is necessary to remove trees that are dead, dying or have significant structural weaknesses. When the trees are felled, usually the stumps are left in-situ at about a metre high so they are clearly visible. The stumps are then ground out in the subsequent months and the area is re soiled and seeded as necessary.

We only remove trees that pose a risk to people and property.