Every tree that's knocked down should be replaced

Every effort is made by Kildare County Council to replace every felled tree.

However it does not give a guarantee that this would happen.

KCC official Simon Wallace said an annual tree planting programme is carried out across the county every year,

This aims to “replant where trees have been removed and identify new locations for tree and hedgerow planting.”

Green Party Councillor Bob Quinn asked that every felled tree be replaced at the earliest opportunity and if it’s not possible to do so in the exact area that it be done nearby.

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Mr Wallace said this is being done but immediate replanting is not always possible because sometimes up to three years have to pass to allow for roots to disintegrate.

He also said it is not possible to commit to carrying out trees works  outside of the bird nesting season.

Many requests are received by KCC every year to do tree works and between 3,000 and 4,000 trees need work across the county annually.

Mr Wallace said issues such as sourcing materials, the availability of tree surgeons and weather conditions have to be taken into account.

Most pruning and felling works are carried out on street trees, which generally don’t have nesting birds.

Contractors are instructed to leave trees which have nests to outside the nesting season.