This guidance document forms part of the National Roads Authority's (NRA's) Series of Environmental Assessment and Construction Guidelines. These particular guidelines should be read in conjunction with relevant NRA Guidelines and, in particular, they should be read having regard to: o Guidelines for Assessment of Ecological Impacts on National Road Schemes (Rev. 1, National Roads Authority, 2006); o A Guide to Landscape Treatments for National Road Schemes (National Roads Authority, 2006); o Best Practice Guidelines for the Conservation of Bats in the Planning of National Roads Schemes (National Roads Authority, 2005); and, o Guidelines for the Treatment of Bats during the Construction of National Roads Schemes (National Roads Authority, 2005). This document provides guidance on the principles and measures to be adopted in affording protection and preservation to trees that are to be retained within or border the land-take of new national roads schemes. Healthy, viable trees can play an important role in providing screening, and in some situations contribute to the reduction of traffic noise levels and concentrations of airborne pollutants. Trees can also help to visually soften the impact of roadway construction on the surrounding landscape as well as offering a valuable habitat for wildlife. During the planning phase of national road schemes, every effort will have been made to minimize the number of trees and hedgerows that have to be removed as part of the scheme.UID