Hounslow Highways to replace trees in the borough

Posted on: July 11, 2019 at 12:03 pm

Managing the borough’s trees forms part of the new Hounslow Highways service and each year, all the borough’s trees have an annual individual ‘health assessment’.

Over the next few months, residents can expect to see Hounslow Highways staff out and about dealing with the trees that are damaged, diseased, dying or that pose a safety hazard to those using the roads and pavements.

Hounslow Highways will be replacing any trees removed with the same or similar species, ideally in the same place but where this is not possible, close by.

As tree planting is best done between October and April, Hounslow Highways aims to have replaced the majority of trees it has removed by Christmas this year at the latest.

Greg Carstensen, Hounslow Highways Service Director, said: “It is always regrettable when we have to remove trees as we do know how much trees enhance the local environment. This is why we will replace each tree we remove – ideally in the same spot but where this is not possible, very near. Our tree management programme will ensure a healthy and thriving tree stock for future generations of Hounslow.”

He continues: “I would like to reassure residents that we have explored all possible options to keep the trees we need to remove and this is a last resort, but trees in urban landscapes do have a ‘safe-life’ expectancy and we need to manage this.”

Residents wanting to find out more can speak to their Councillors at the Local Area Forums. Additionally, Hounslow Highways will be carrying out letter drops in the streets where trees are due for removal and replacement.