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Highway Tree Removal

St Albans City & District Council carry out a three-year cycle of safety surveys, and the safety related work on Highway trees on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council.

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 check the trees we're responsible for on behalf of Herts County Council every 3 years.
  • We remove trees that pose a risk to people and property. We remove the stumps separately, normally 1 month after we removed the tree.
  • Sometimes we remove trees if they cause an obstruction, damage or affect visibility.
  • We check each tree for nesting birds before  work is carried out.  If active nests are present the work will be postponed if it is safe to do so.
  • Where possible, Herts County Council will plant a new tree in approximately the same position. That's usually in the winter.

FAQ's

Will a felled tree be replaced? Toggle accordion

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.

Why are tree works carried out during the bird nesting season? Toggle accordion

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.

How often are Tree on the Highways Checked? Toggle accordion

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