Tories agree to plant thousands of trees across Herts

Liberal Democrat councillors persuaded the ruling Conservatives at Herts County Council to give a commitment to replacing thousands of trees that have been removed from highways.

In a report by the Council's Highways and Transport Panel, it was revealed that 4,494 trees had been removed from highways in the period 2018- 2021 but only 1,040 were planted, meaning a deficit of 3,455.

Following pressure from the Lib Dems, the Conservatives agreed to replace as many of the lost trees as possible where the location is suitable.

Trees serve an important environmental purpose

Cllr John Hale, who pressed for the need to replace highway trees, said: "A large number of trees have been removed and very few have been replaced.

“I am pleased that the council has now agreed that more should be done to replace trees along our roads.

“Trees serve an important environmental purpose and should be replaced whenever possible."

Group leader Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst said: "Urban street trees improve the street scene and contribute significantly towards reducing Co2 emissions in key pedestrian areas."

The full motion, proposed by J S Hale and seconded by S K Jarvis stated that the council welcomes the Queen's Green Canopy which is a tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee.

As part of the County Council's contribution to this initiative, it agrees to identify all roadside locations where a tree has been removed in the last ten years and not replaced.

Over the next three years, the County Council aims to replace those trees either in the same location or in another roadside location.