The Trees and Woodlands section is part of the Landscape and Countryside Team, focusing mainly on the trees and woodlands aspects of the local environment.
Tree preservation
Many trees throughout the district are protected either through individual Tree Protection Orders (TPOs) or because they are located within a Conservation Area.
If you have a tree or group of trees protected by a tree preservation order, or you are within a conservation area and you wish to carry out any form of pruning or apply for the removal of a protected tree within your property or seek to have a tree protected by a Tree Preservation Order, please contact the Trees and Woodlands section on 01727 819363 or email treesandwoodlands@stalbans.gov.uk. The Trees and Woodlands section can also give advice about serving tree preservation orders to protect trees that are deemed to be vulnerable.
We are responsible for the maintenance of the majority of highway trees, under an agency agreement with Hertfordshire County Council; they maintain trees along rural roads and trunk routes away from residential areas.
The work carried out by us includes:
- tree planting
- pruning
- felling
- stump removal
Tree planting is carried out to replace any losses through death, storm damage, or felling of declining/unsafe trees. The species of tree planted usually reflect the type already in use in any given road.
Pruning is carried out to ensure trees do not obstruct the pavement, highway or adjoining property. In addition, work is carried out to either thin trees to allow more light to pass through them, or to reduce the crowns of trees to control their size. Work is carried out according to the condition of the tree and the nature of any complaint. We will strive to retain the natural shape and avoid work that is damaging to the health of the tree.
Felling is carried out if trees are found to be seriously diseased, decayed, dead, dying, or in a weakened condition. Stump removal usually follows after tree felling unless there are problems with access, or the site does not warrant such work.
We carry out most of our work following enquiries from the public and from inspections by the Trees and Woodlands section. The Trees and Woodlands section can be contacted by telephone on 01727 819363 or email treesandwoodlands@stalbans.gov.uk. This telephone number also has an answer machine.
Any enquiries relating to trees maintained by Hertfordshire County Council should be directed to telephone number 01438 737320.
Information on our policy approach to the maintenance of all trees on highways, parks, woodlands and housing property, as well as planning related issues to trees, has been set out in more detail in the Tree Strategy and Policy for St Albans City and District issued in Autumn 2004 and in our leaflet Trees in the District, they can be downloaded using the links below.
St Albans Voluntary Tree Wardens
Tree Wardening is a way for volunteers to play an active role in championing their local treescape. Tree Wardens can get involved with a range of activities, from practical projects such as planting and caring for trees to gathering information about local trees and developing imaginative projects to encourage others, including schoolchildren, to value their local trees and woods.
Over 40 volunteers have worked in the District, acting as the eyes and ears of their neighbourhoods and reporting on matters such as the condition of trees, pests and diseases and safety issues.
Other activities have included leading guided walks, giving talks to local community groups and spearheading Tree Council initiatives such as the Ancient Tree Hunt, National Tree Week and seed gathering.
If you would like further information about these activities or if you would like to volunteer your services as a tree warden, please contact David Curry at e-mail: treewardens@stalbans.gov.uk or ring 01727 819363.