Council tree maintenance

Highways Tree Maintenance

St Albans City & District Council only carry out safety related work on behalf of Herts County Council to trees on urban highway verges.

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Council tree maintenance

Trees in parks and open spaces and on council housing land are looked after by us. This land occasionally includes verges and open spaces that adjoin directly onto roads. You can check on our mapping service which land we look after.

All of our trees have been regularly surveyed to record their location, dimensions and condition. We are currently working through the tree works that have resulted from the survey.

The work carried out by us includes the following:

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 reflects the type already existing nearby.
Pruning through the removal of low growth is carried out to ensure trees do not obstruct any adjacent pavement, highway or adjoining property. Crown reduction of trees to control their size is sometimes carried out, depending on their condition and past management.
Work is carried out according to the tree survey findings, the condition of the tree and the nature of any enquiry. As a general rule, we do not carry out work in response to complaints about obstructed daylight. 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.

Works usually take around 6 to 8 weeks to be completed after our inspection.

Report a problem with a Council tree

Policy

How we look after our trees on roads, parks, woodlands and housing property is set out in the Tree Policy and Action Plan for St Albans City and District.

Contact us

To report a dangerous situation please telephone on 01727 866100

For enquiries affecting trees on Council housing land, these should be directed to the Housing Department (Tel: 01727 819301 or Email: housingmanagement@stalbans.gov.uk). Initial inspections of housing trees are carried out by a member of the Housing Department.