About Trees Ltd. provides professional roadside tree management services across Kent, supporting estates and landowners with safe, compliant arboricultural works along highways, rural roads and access routes. Our team specialises in managing tree risk and delivering works safely within live highway environments.

Client: Duchy of Cornwall
Location: Multiple Rural Farm Locations, Kent
Project Duration: Ongoing Works Following Safety Audit

Roadside Tree Management works across Duchy of Cornwall Estates:

About Trees Ltd. was instructed by the Duchy of Cornwall to undertake a programme of roadside tree management works across several rural farm estates in Kent, following a comprehensive arboricultural safety audit.

The works focused primarily on trees adjacent to highways, including rural country lanes and sections of A roads. Many of the sites were subject to Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) or located within conservation areas, requiring a carefully managed and compliant approach while addressing significant safety concerns.

Survey Review, Planning and TPO Management:

All works were based on detailed tree survey data, identifying hazardous trees including dead specimens, ash trees affected by ash dieback (ADB), and structurally compromised trees posing a risk to road users.

Where trees were protected, About Trees Ltd. managed the entire application process, including preparing and submitting TPO and conservation area notifications, liaising with the Local Planning Authority (LPA), and attending multiple site meetings to agree and refine the scope of works.

Given the roadside nature of the project, planning also involved coordinating traffic management strategies, road closures, and safe working zones—particularly on narrow country lanes and higher-speed A road sections.

Roadside Tree Management and Traffic Management in Kent:

A key aspect of the project was the safe execution of works within the highway environment.

We implemented full traffic management systems where required, including:

• Temporary road closures on rural lanes
• Traffic control measures on A roads
• Coordination with relevant authorities to minimise disruption

Working in live road environments required precise planning and communication, ensuring the safety of both operatives and the public at all times.

Highway Tree Safety and Risk Reduction:

The scope of works included:

• -Felling of dead and dangerous roadside trees
• -Removal of ash trees affected by ash dieback
• -Clearance of low-hanging branches obstructing highways
• -Removal of structurally unsafe trees identified within the survey

-Due to access constraints and proximity to highways, works were carried out using controlled sectional dismantling techniques and specialist equipment, ensuring safe and efficient operations.

Environmental and Regulatory Considerations:

Working across a mix of protected and non-protected sites required a flexible but highly professional approach. About Trees Ltd. ensured all works complied with relevant permissions where required, while maintaining best arboricultural practices across all locations.

Where appropriate, environmental and habitat considerations were taken into account, balancing safety requirements with responsible estate management.

Ongoing Estate Support:

In addition to planned works, About Trees Ltd. provides ongoing support to the Duchy of Cornwall, including emergency call-outs where trees present an immediate risk due to storm damage or sudden failure—particularly in high-risk roadside locations.

Project Outcome:

The completion of these works significantly reduced risk across multiple estate locations, improving safety along rural roads and key access routes.

By managing regulatory processes where required, coordinating with the LPA, implementing large-scale traffic management, and delivering works to a high standard, About Trees Ltd. provided a comprehensive arboricultural service suited to complex estate environments.

This project demonstrates our capability to safely deliver large-scale roadside tree works and reinforces our position as a trusted contractor for estates, landowners, and commercial clients.

Who We Work With
We regularly support:

• -Estate managers and landowners
• -Farms and rural businesses
• -Local authorities and commercial clients
• -High-value residential properties
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To learn more about our roadside tree management and traffic management services in Kent, get in touch with About Trees Ltd.