The Swedish Commission on Climate and Vulnerability indicate that climate change may result in an increased average wind speed and the risk of extreme storms may increase in intensity and number. Functions important to society such as road and rail networks must therefore adapt to a changing climate.

In 2005, Sweden was hit by the storm Gudrun. During this storm fell equivalent to 90 percent of the annual felling of timber and infrastructure was severely affected. Two years later the storm Per occurred, the storm showed once again that the railroad was still very vulnerable and that many of the problems of withstanding severe storms persisted. These two events, particularly Hurricane Gudrun laid the foundation for the Swedish Transport administration to adapt the railways by the felling of trees close to the railways.

The theoretical premises of the essay is comprised of sustainable development and climate adaptation from a risk perspective.

This study is conducted based on a qualitative survey with an inductive approach. Data collection methods consisted primarily of interviews whose material then was analyzed through a content analysis.

The overall aim is to shed light on if Tree removal program is an effective climate adaptation measure, and study the social, economic and ecological consequences of tree management has on the Swedish society.

The survey results show that both direct and indirect costs which arise from fallen trees may be reduced by the Tree removal program. Tree removal program is a safety measure which may impact both the economy and the environment. The Tree removal program make for example that less priority forest areas become managed in a better way and then get more developed. At the same time the plants that are in need of shadow may be negatively affected by increased sunlight. Based on the changing conditions of the animal and plant life that is created by the security measure it is the common perception among survey respondents that trees management could lead to an increased occurrence of wild animal collisions. The measure also affects the work environment which forest workers are exposed to during harvesting work. In the ongoing Tree removal program it is important that the ruling safety regulations are complied with. The survey results show that there is an increased risk of heat distortion which is both unexpected and an undesirable consequence. Interviews indicate that the tree management could lead to a reduced occurrence of events related to suicide on the railway, this is an unexpected but positive consequence.