More trees should be planted in County Kildare

Measures need to be taken to ensure that more trees are planted throughout County Kildare.

For every tree taken out as building work gets underway, ten replacements should be provided, according to independent councillor Seamie Moore.

He said the removal of trees, hedgerows and shrubbery as planning applications are approved “should be re-balanced with a replacement requirement of ten times the number of removals.”

He told a Kildare County Council meeting that this should be done with “semi-mature plantings, preferably in a set aside spinney or grove.” 

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He said the advantage of using a grove or spinney is that the public would see it is being done

And he added the same shod apple in cases where KCC removes a three or hedgerow.

According to KCC official Celina Barrett replacement and new planting are implemented where feasible in new developments across the county.

She added that compensation for tree loss will depend on the use, design and size of the site and what trees or shrub species are required as well as the sizes, quantities and design layouts that are practical. 

In the light of these requirements “a blank'' one-for-ten requirement would not be practical.

Ms Barrett also stressed the importance of planting native trees.