Highways Tree FAQ's
St Albans City & District Council carries out safety related works and safety inspections on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council (HCC). This arrangement applies to trees located on highways verges in urban/built up areas, Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
Trees growing next to public roads and footpaths are the responsibility of the adjacent landowner.
You're entitled to cut branches overhanging your property, but you cannot reclaim any costs that this may incur from the Council.
When you report a dangerous tree, we'll carry out an inspection. If we find a problem, we'll arrange for the necessary work to be carried out.
- Safety inspections
- Safety related work on trees in urban and built up areas
- Manage enquiries Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
- Trees on high-speed roads
- Trees on rural roads
- Out of hours tree enquires (Monday to Friday 5pm to 9am, weekends and public holidays)
- Watering of newly planted trees on a verge
- Damage or subsidence claims relating to trees on highway verges
Contact Hertfordshire County Council directly if your enquiry is related to any of the items listed above.
Who should I report a problem with a tree on a highway verge to? Toggle accordion
St Albans City & District Council undertakes maintenance work on trees on highways verges in urban/built up areas on behalf of Herts County Council, Monday to Friday between 9am to 5pm, excluding public holidays.
Report a highway tree problem to St Albans City & District Council
Enquiries made outside of these times (Monday to Friday 5pm to 9am, weekends and public holidays) should be made directly with Hertfordshire County Council.
Enquiries relating to trees along high-speed roads and rural roads, damage or subsidence claims, should also be reported to Hertfordshire County Council.
For out of hours emergencies, please call 0300 123 4047.
Who is watering newly planted trees on the highways verges? Toggle accordion
Hertfordshire County Council has an arrangement with a specific contractor to water all newly planted trees on highways verges.
Please contact Hertfordshire County Council directly if you have any questions or concerns.
My property has been damaged by a tree on a highway verge Toggle accordion
All enquiries regarding property damage, which has been caused by a tree on a highway verge, should be reported directly to Hertfordshire County Council.
Tree roots are causing damage to a pavement Toggle accordion
All enquiries regarding property (public or private) damage, which has been caused by a tree on a highway verge, should be reported directly to Hertfordshire County Council.
Trees on high-speed and rural roads Toggle accordion
Enquiries relating to trees along high-speed roads and rural roads should always be reported to Hertfordshire County Council.
Contact Hertfordshire County Council
For out of hours emergencies, please call 0300 123 4047.
A tree on a highway verge is overhanging or shading my property Toggle accordion
All enquiries regarding property encroachment, relating to a tree growing on a highway verge, should be reported directly to Hertfordshire County Council.
Report a dangerous tree outside of normal office hours Toggle accordion
For out of hours emergencies, please call Hertfordshire County Council on 0300 123 4047.
Making best use of limited funds Toggle accordion
We carry out safety related work and inspections on trees on highway verges on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council.
If trees on a highway verge are causing a safety risk, we'll take action. But we're unlikely to respond to issues such as bird fouling, shading or poor TV reception.
Can I cut back branches that are overhanging my property? Toggle accordion
You're entitled to cut branches overhanging your property back to the boundary line, but you cannot reclaim any costs that may be incurred from the Council.
A tree on the highway is causing poor TV reception Toggle accordion
If a tree on a highway verge is causing a safety risk, we'll take action. However, we're unlikely to respond to issues such as bird fouling, shading or poor TV reception.
A tree is shading my garden Toggle accordion
If a tree on a highway verge is causing a safety risk, we'll take action. But we're unlikely to respond to issues such as bird fouling, shading or poor TV reception.
A tree or hedge growing next to a public road or path is causing an obstruction Toggle accordion
Trees growing next to public roads and footpaths are the responsibility of the adjacent landowner.
This should be reported directly to Hertfordshire County Council.