National Highways has been accused of “potentially wasting taxpayers’ money” after planting another 50,000 trees along the A14 in conditions that could make it difficult for the saplings to establish.
The Government-owned company acknowledged earlier this year that its “performance on tree planting had not been good enough” after thousands of young trees died along the upgraded A14 between Cambridge and Huntingdon.
Re-planting
More than 860,000 were planted before the £1.5 billion improvement scheme was officially opened in 2020. Three years later it was announced 160,000 trees and shrubs would be re-planted after many of the first batch failed to grow.
South Cambridgeshire MP Pippa Heylings questioned National Highways about the situation at a one off Environmental Audit Committee last autumn. There, she highlighted the trees were “potentially planted in the wrong soil, at the wrong time of year, with no consideration for climate change or the fact that Cambridgeshire is a water-stressed area”.
She added: “What we have now, as my constituents and local councillors see, is a desert festooned with the plastic tree [guards].”
‘Tree trial’
The latest 50,000 saplings to be planted form part of what National Highways describes as a “tree trial” designed to test new planting methods and shape future planting programmes.
Last week, Roads and Buses Minister Simon Lightwood confirmed to Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty that planting along the route had now been completed.
However, fresh concerns have been raised again over the timing of the work. Planting took place in April, outside the traditional planting season, which typically runs from November to March as trees are dormant and the roots establish better.
Critics have also pointed out that this spring was one of the driest on record, and the newly-planted saplings would struggle without significant watering and aftercare.
Ground conditions
H&I county councillor Ros Hathorn questions the timing of the planting and the quality of the soil in which the trees are being grown.
She said: “This latest set of 50,000 trees have been planted after the planting season. It hadn’t rained properly for months and the trees would’ve really needed watering regularly to survive the hot dry spell. I would go as far as saying it was a ridiculous time to plant them – and potentially a waste of taxpayers’ money.
“If they’d waited until mid-November to plant the same trees they would have had the entire winter to establish. They might have needed additional watering next summer if it was very dry but that would be exceptional, whereas these trees are far more vulnerable.
“When you look at the trees along that road, some have done well and others haven’t. Yet they’re the same species and experience the same weather conditions, and in some instances are planted on the same bank. The most likely candidate for difference in performance seems to be soil quality.
“Some months back, there was a gas leak by the land under the slip road and we had the opportunity to look at the quality of the soil. The ‘top soil’ was 20cm of pure clay, under that was aggregate, road waste and stone. The ground was rock solid, so it’s no surprise the trees aren’t surviving.”
Ros added: “It does feel as though National Highways just wants to say all the trees have been planted, without giving much consideration towards the aftercare that’s required. However, I’ve heard that the A428 project is doing much better in terms of ecology, and I’m hopeful learnings are being implemented elsewhere.”
Learnings
In his letter, Mr Lightwood said National Highways was “learning from previous outcomes” and that the latest planting programme includes enhanced preparation and aftercare measures.
He also wrote that the scheme incorporates “soil improvement measures” and that tree management will continue under a five-year maintenance programme.
Mr Lightwood added: “Over summer 2026, National Highways will carry out maintenance work including grass cutting, herbicide applications to control weed growth and the application of mulch around the base of newly planted trees to reduce water evaporation and provide them with additional nutrients.”
Hi Trees
Dan Mace, of Hi Trees, said he “has some sympathy” for National Highways given the scale of the planting required for the A14 project, but stressed the importance of aftercare and ongoing maintenance.
He said: “I once read a statistic from critics of National Highways that only 10% of the trees it plants survive. Personally, I don’t believe it is that low, but survival rates should be between 70% and 80%.
“For example, the Hi Trees woodland has around a 70-75% survival rate and we put a lot of effort into aftercare and maintenance. We also weed around the trees to remove any competing growth at the roots and also mulch in spring to retain as much water as possible.
“It really is a huge effort – and we appreciate all the support from our volunteers.”
HI HUB approached National Highways to comment on its timing for planting the latest 50,000 trees, and also asked where they have been planted.
READ MORE: Hi Trees reveals name for new woodland, Progress reported on A14 tree replacement, Tree replanting timetable falls behind schedule, Contractors set to smash A14 re-opening targets
