The Archive contains articles which are of general interest, or have been the cause of concern in the past and remain unresolved.

Maintenance of trees and hedges - by Cliff Le Quelenec
A proposal to conduct a campaign to improve the maintenance of trees and hedgerows in and around Rickmansworth

Trees are an environmental asset providing they are properly maintained. However, if not properly maintained, trees can become a hazard and a cause for concern. Excessive foliage on trees and hedgerows can become a nuisance, but tree roots can cause damage to walls, houses and other properties. There is evidence in and around Rickmansworth to illustrate the points made above. Trees that cause problems are sometimes cut down rather than being pollarded and pruned. Removing the offending trees is not the preferred solution and action should be taken to prevent the loss of healthy trees in the Rickmansworth area. The reduction in the number of trees along Riverside Drive is an example of what some people regard as environmental vandalism. The number of trees subject to a Council "Tree Preservation Orders" is not known.
Readers need to be aware of examples of the damage that trees can cause, particularly if they have large trees growing adjacent to their properties. In the recent past, a healthy sycamore tree was blown over in a residential garden. In falling, it did considerable damage to the roof of the adjoining property. The excessive winds at the time of the incident and above average rainfall caused the tree to topple, because the roots could not restrain the tree in the soggy soil. On another occasion in high winds, a dead tree fell, damaging a brick wall between neighbouring properties, as well as breaking branches off adjoining trees. The tree was covered in ivy, which may have brought about its demise. Recently, attention has been drawn to a very large sycamore tree growing on a grass verge on the roadside in a residential cul-de-sac. The tree is immediately adjacent to the boundary wall of a private house. One major tree root is lifting the tarmac on the pavement, along the boundary wall, causing damage to some ten feet of the pavement. In time this will become a major hazard to pedestrians. One can but wonder if other roots of the same tree will in time undermine the wall and even the foundations of the property.
Readers also need to be aware that many insurance policies state that the insurers will not pay out on claims for subsidence where the roots of adjacent trees have undermined the foundations of a property. There have been instances where a mortgage company refused a loan because, when surveying the property, the company considered the adjacent trees to be too great a hazard.
Readers will also be aware of the nuisance value caused by excessive foliage. Foliage can obstruct paths and pavements, obscure traffic signs and public notices, shed leaves into roof guttering to obstruct drainage and diminish the illumination given off from lamp posts. Again there are examples of this locally, many being caused by foliage from trees on private property intruding into public spaces, and hedges that are not trimmed often enough. Some residents may have had to step into the road, at considerable risk to themselves, where foliage overhanging narrow pavements makes it necessary to take avoiding action.
The Association has confirmed that the County Council is responsible for the maintenance of trees in public areas, but not of course on private property. But, it is assumed that the Council has the discretion to draw the attention of residents, and owners of other properties, to their responsibilities for insuring that trees and hedges on private property do not obstructed the public highway and pavements. Given that assumption, the Association believes there would be merit in conducting an "audit" of trees in the district, with the help of its members. Thus, the Association would welcome comments on this article, particularly offers of help to compile a list of offending trees and hedgerows. The task of conducting an audit need not be onerous. All that is required from people out walking is that they should note the condition of trees and hedges and feed back to the Association, through the e-mail web link given below, (or by other means), examples they have seen of badly maintained trees and hedges and the problem their condition creates. Should the feedback confirm there is a problem that should be brought to the attention of the County Council, the Association would be willing to do so.
To respond to this article, go to the page on this website entitled "Feedback", and use the e-mail link to send your views to the Association.

Trees - Response from the Council
Response by the TRDC's Principal Landscape Officer to the article entitled "Tree Campaign".

Firstly, I would like to explain that trees do not need constant pruning to ensure they are retained in a safe and healthy condition. In contrast it is better to avoid any works to a tree, if at all possible. Once a tree canopy has been either reduced or pollarded, any growth arising in the area of the work will become a weakness in the structure of the tree. It will be necessary to carry out further and regular work to the tree to ensure that points of weakness do not become points at which the tree fails. Such work will destroy the natural form of the tree.
It is possible to carry out crown raising, or limited thinning operations, to trees as the means to overcome specific problems without significantly affecting the overall health of the tree. However, heavy crown reductions may significantly affect the health of the tree, may introduce disease and will incur a financial burden because such works are likely to need repeating at regular intervals.
In an urban environment, where trees exist in close proximity to buildings, highways and other such land uses, more drastic works such as crown reductions may become necessary. This would be done to preserve trees as an alternative to removing them. That said there may be an argument to support their removal in such circumstances to allow replanting with more appropriate species; i.e., one which could grow to maturity without the need for regular pruning work.
Trees, where they exist in close proximity to buildings will always be a potential danger due to their physical size and presence in such locations. That said, it should not be assumed that trees in close proximity to buildings will ultimately lead to subsidence damage. Subsidence damage is only likely to happen in drought conditions where the soil is shrinkable clay.
It must be made clear that TRDC is responsible for trees growing on its own land, (i.e., the Aquadrome), but the responsibility does not extend to trees on the public highway. Trees on the highway are the responsibility of the Highways Division of Hertfordshire County Council, (HCC). HCC does have powers under the Highways Act to ensure that owners of trees do not allow such trees to encroach on the highway. The Highways Department can be contacted on (01923) 471320.
TRDC is investigating the purchase of an IT system to support the proactive survey of all TRDC trees and, following on from that initial survey, to develop a comprehensive tree maintenance programme. Obviously any contribution that the Rickmansworth Residents Association can make to these tasks, or other related tree issues, would be welcome. Relevant information should be reported to the TRDC Trees and Landscape Unit by writing to, or telephoning the Unit (01923)727154.
It is to be hoped that the above comments deal with most of the issues raised in the Residents' Association article. The one issue not covered above is the reference to trees on Riverside Drive. The only trees to have been removed from this site by the Council were those in a dangerous condition.

Trees - A letter from Mr Tim Tims
A contribution by Mr Tims of the Cloisters, Rickmansworth, to the debate on the "Maintenance of Trees and Hedgerows".

Notes on Trees in Three Rivers
I understand that the current County Council policy for roadside trees is as follows:
1. No maintenance of kerbside trees.
2. No intervention unless there is an obvious danger or obstruction to clear away.
3. Dead trees are cut off one metre from the ground and removed. The stump is left to rot away.
This policy may result in all roadside trees dying and being cleared away leaving dead stumps in verges - a barren and forlorn residential environment for most people except those who live on private residential estates where their trees are well maintained.
I am very concerned about this, as I feel our trees are an important community amenity which can be enjoyed by all residents, young and old alike. Until recently we have benefitted from the foresight of previous generations in the planting of trees and now we have a duty to continue their work for future generations.
In the same way that, as citizens, we are entitled to expect high standards for our hospitals, schools and roads, we should also expect the same for the essential elements in the fabric of our environment. These elements include our trees being properly looked after so that, as our population density increases, more trees are planted and maintained in our public areas to compensate for the loss of green areas taken up by development and parking provision.
Whilst Watford Borough Council has planted 200 trees this year, there are no records of any kerbside tree planting in Three Rivers. Current Tree Officer responsibilities seem to centre on the preservation and development of trees on privately owned land. This is an important function but, without an equivalent effort in community areas, residential streets, leisure areas etc., the tendency will be to accentuate the social divide within the district.
What can be done about this ?
It is suggested that an effort be made to investigate the possibility of Three Rivers District Council:
1. Taking action against the County Council for neglect of duty in failing to maintain our trees. The purpose of the action would be to obtain sufficient funding to establish a proper programme of imaginative replanting and maintenance of all roadside trees in Three Rivers.
2. Employing or transferring a Tree Officer specifically to look after community trees in residential and public areas. This should:
Identify public areas suitable for new tree planting, both kerbside trees and larger trees (grand Trees).
Encourage local schools to participate in tree planting programmes.
Capitalise on the undoubted good will of residents, who if asked, may be more than willing to monitor newly planted trees and even water them in dry periods.
Identify areas for grand tree planting, the cost to be subsidised by anyone who wishes to make a contribution. Possible examples are local commercial organisations, people who would like to sponsor a tree, either in their own lifetime, or after their death. Such trees could carry a permanent identification tag with discrete mention of its sponsor.
Further matters to be considered:
1. Create a ring-fenced tree fund within the Council's budget to pay for ongoing maintenance of grand trees.
2. Initiate a procedure to impose a "loss of environmental assets levy" on planning applications that result in the loss of trees, hedgerows and herbatious borders. Such a levy could provide a subsidy to pay for trees planted in public areas.
3. Restore to the District Council the responsibility for maintaining roadside verges in Three Rivers, to include a grant from the County Budget to fund the work.
4. Enforce the requirement for tree owners, including the County Council, to maintain and replace trees in conservation areas and private developments.
5. Invite Three Rivers District Council to subscribe to The Tree Council.

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The views expressed on this website are those of the individual contributors, and do not necessarily reflect those of the R&DRA Committee as a whole.

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