Highways Bulletin: SCC Ask for Residents’ Help to Care for Saplings

Published on: 30 Aug, 2026
Updated on: 30 Aug, 2026

The information for this bulletin comes from Surrey County Council and is written by them.

Report potholes and highway issues here.

Help Our New Trees Thrive This Summer

SCC is continuing our commitment to creating a greener, healthier county by planting hundreds of new trees across our communities.

Last winter alone, more than 750 new trees were planted on highway verges following requests from residents, bringing the total number of trees planted over the past three winters to around 2,700. This year, we are planning to plant even more, with 500 trees already ordered and a target of around 700 trees to be planted during the upcoming winter season.

Looking after newly planted trees is just as important as planting them. Since April, specialist contractors have been travelling across Surrey to water young trees and help them establish strong root systems. Every tree is visited once every two weeks and receives around 30 litres of water per visit.

However, the recent hot and dry weather has created challenging conditions. That’s why we’re asking residents to help care for young trees in their neighbourhood where possible. If you live near a newly planted tree and are able to help, please consider giving it a bucket of water once or twice a week. Grey water, such as bath water, washing-up water, paddling pool water or collected rainwater, is ideal and helps conserve drinking water supplies.

If you’re concerned about the current hosepipe ban, please be reassured that newly planted trees can still be watered, and standard street trees are not affected by the restrictions.

Look for the watering tube at the base of the tree and pour most of the water into it so it reaches the roots where it’s needed most.

Later this autumn, contractors will continue caring for Surrey’s young trees by replacing damaged straps, securing loose stakes and removing supports from trees that are now well established.

Find out more about planting trees on the highway – Planting trees on the highway – Surrey County Council

For details of roadworks in the Guildford area please click here.