00642 Verges Booklet - Devon County Council

(c) the planting of native trees and shrubs to create new woodlands
as a natural habitat for wildlife;
(d) the planting of specimen trees individually or at intervals; e.g. as a
formal avenue;
(e) the planting of irregular groups of trees;
(f) the planting of suitable native species within existing hedgerows
or along existing highway boundaries.
(vi) New Planting in Existing Urban Areas
In practice in the established urban areas there are few suitable sites
within the limits of the highway for new planting, but opportunities do
exist for planting within the foregoing criteria with careful selection of
species:
(a) in wide verges, central reservations and roundabouts;
(b) in pedestrian precinct areas (possibly using large containers);
(c) at road improvement sites;
(d) in wide footways in shopping streets.
There is scope for planting shrubs and small ornamental trees in small
feature areas, reservations and verges with a potential for reducing
long term maintenance.
(vii) Replacement of Existing Trees
Where existing highway trees are removed because they are diseased
or dying but where there are no known safety or other problems then
as a general rule they should be replaced even though the foregoing
criteria may not be strictly adhered to. Where there are safety
problems or the possibility of damage to adjoining properties it is
sometimes possible to replant a more suitable variety or find an
alternative site.
(a) Isolated specimen trees should be replaced unless they present a
particular hazard such as blocking a narrow footway or are
actually in the carriageway;