Trees & Conservation IN WEOBLEY
What is a Conservation Area?:
A UK Conservation area is defined as a place of special architectural or historic interest whose character or appearance is desirable to preserve or enhance.
Weobley was officially designated a Conservation Area on 1 January 1977 by the former Leominster District Council who identified Weobley for its rich collection of medieval and historic timber-framed black-and-white buildings, layout, including historic burgage plots the parish church and overall village landscape.
TREE WORKS
As Weobley has been awarded Conservation status this means that any work that is needed to be carried out on trees that are growing within the Conservation area boundary require a form to be completed and submitted. Further details about this procedure and the form itself - called a Section 211 Notice - can found on the Herefordshire Planning Portal (see screenshot).
TREE PLANTING
Remember the 3R’s The Right Tree in the Right Place for the Right Reason.
There are many resources on line to help you to choose the right tree for your garden space. Two sites which are helpful are: The Woodland Trust at www.woodlandtrust.org.uk and the Royal Horticultural Society at www.rhs.org your local garden centre and also Hergest Croft Gardens at www.hergest.co.uk have a tree nursery.
TERMINOLOGY
When considering works to Trees in a Conservation Area the Tree Officer will refer to Crown Lifting, Thinning or reducing and the following diagram illustrates how the tree will look once the work is carried out.
TREE POLLARDING
This process involves the upper branches of the tree being pruned back to the trunk. It is not recommended for most conifers, beech, birch, cherry or oak trees due to their recovery from the procedure. (The Council Tree Officer / Tree Surgeon will be able to advise on which procedure will best suit the species of tree requiring work).
Points to remember when choosing and planting a tree
If the tree is to be planted in a public space.
Does the tree species you have chosen produce fruit? Consider slip factors and stinging insects for the general public.
How large will the tree grow? Consider overhead cables, drains on the roadside (which roots could grow into and cause blockages and flooding) and visibility for passing traffic and pedestrians. Also distance from other neighbouring trees growing close by. There is plenty of information available to help choose the right tree species for the space you have available too.
TREE DISEASES
The Tree Council website: www.treecouncil.org is a great resource of information especially about tree diseases and how to spot them.
If you spot a diseased or dying tree in your garden you would need to contact a professional to come and assess it and you can do so via the Aboricultural Association https://www.trees.org.uk/ or the Tree Officer at Herefordshire Council should be able to assist you in next steps. As Weobley is in a Conservation Area you should not remove the tree yourself.
