Highway Tree Removal FAQs

• Due to poor structural.  This relates to the structural integrity of the tree — how well it can support itself and resist failure. Poor structural conditions may, among other problems include: cracks and splits, vehicle strike damage, and dead or broken limbs.
• Due to poor physiological condition. This refers to the biological health and vitality of the tree — how well it's functioning and growing. Poor physiological condition may include: diseased trees, dieback in the crown, fungal infections, sparse or discoloured foliage, pests, poor growth rate and 
  epicormic shoots (a stress response).
• Dead Trees. Dead trees are structurally unstable. Their limbs or entire trunks can fall without warning, especially during: High winds, heavy rain or snow and vibration or strikes vehicles.
• Ash dieback. This is a serious fungal disease that affects ash trees, causing them to weaken and die over time. Trees infected with this disease often need to be removed, especially when they are near roads, paths, or public areas because Infected trees suffer from crown dieback, brittle wood and sudden limb or whole-tree failure, even in calm weather. Trees can become dangerously unstable long before they appear fully dead.
• Dutch Elm Disease. Trees infected with Dutch Elm Disease (DED) and showing signs of dieback near a path or highway need to be felled primarily for public safety.  DED causes rapid dieback and internal decay, weakening the tree’s structure. Infected trees shed limbs and a can collapse with little warning.
• Due to evident decline. means that the tree is in a visible state of deterioration—either in health or structure—and is not expected to recover. This condition has been clearly identified during a professional inspection, indicating that the tree poses a potential risk and should be removed
  
   

Some trees are marked for additional assessment when the initial survey does not provide enough information to make a clear decision about their condition or management and that tree is of sufficient value to warrant the addition checks . This may be due to:

• Unclear symptoms or signs of decline
• Uncertain structural stability
• Potential health and safety concerns that need further investigation
• The need for input from a qualified Arboricultural Officer before confirming any action

This designation ensures that decisions are made based on a thorough and informed evaluation.

Where tree removals are necessary, Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) will usually arrange for a replacement to be planted.

Each site is individually assessed to determine whether it is suitable for replanting. If the original location is appropriate, and subject to available funding, replacement planting will typically take place during the tree planting season (November to March).

Replacement trees are selected to ensure a resilient and diverse highway tree population. HCC plants a mix of:

• Native species
• Compact cultivars of native trees
• Species from warmer, drier climates

These non-native but climate-resilient species still provide ecological benefits for UK wildlife and are more likely to survive and thrive in urban environments. This approach helps to future-proof the urban tree canopy, ensuring long-term benefits for current and future generations of Hertfordshire residents.

We aim to avoid carrying out tree works during the bird nesting season wherever possible. However, due to the size of our tree stock and the need to undertake safety-critical works year-round, some activity may be unavoidable during this period.

During nesting season, contractors carry out wildlife assessments on each tree before starting any work. If an active nest is found, work is paused and the contractor consults with Council Officers. Where it is safe and practical to do so, the work will be postponed until nesting activity has ceased.

On behalf of Hertfordshire County Council, we operate a three-year rolling safety inspection programme, ensuring that every highway tree is inspected once within each three-year cycle.

While nature and the environment are highly valued, public safety remains our top priority. On behalf of Hertfordshire County Council, we manage a large population of highway trees, all of which are inspected as part of a three-year rolling safety survey programme. This ensures that every tree is assessed at least once every three years.

It is necessary to remove trees that are dead, dying, or structurally compromised. Many of these trees were planted between the 1920s and 1970s and are now reaching the end of their natural lifespan. Trees growing in highway environments typically have shorter lifespans due to factors such as limited rooting space, soil compaction, pollution, and exposure to road salt and vehicle damage.

When a tree is felled, the stump is usually left at approximately one metre in height to ensure it remains clearly visible. These stumps are then removed in the following months, and the area is re-soiled and seeded as appropriate.

We only remove trees when they pose a genuine risk to people or property, and all decisions are made with careful consideration of both safety and environmental impact.