Local arborist in Southwest Herts, Alex Peacock, was recently faced with a dilemma. When he arrived at Hunton Bridge he was asked to fell a lovely old yew tree.

Estimating the yew to be 300 years old and with a girth of approximately 3 meters he decided not to fell the tree and contacted the Ancient Tree Forum for advice. 

The ATF advised him to contact the District Council’s Tree Officer, the local District Councillor for the ward and the press to raise awareness of the value of yew as a local historical feature and amenity tree. The Tree Officer for Three Rivers District Council, Rueben Hayes arrived within the hour to apply an emergency Tree Preservation Order. It was later discovered that the tree was also an important roost site for bats. All bats are specially protected species. Neighbours were also really pleased at Alex’s decision to save the tree.

The next step is to contact the local Hertfordshire bat group to inform them about the bat roost. Hopefully the emergency TPO will be confirmed to protect the yew in the longer term. 

Alex has previously been in touch with the ATF when he contacted Ted Green about the ‘Waller Oak’ in the Chilterns. With a girth of more than 11.6m the Waller Oak is now the largest recorded English oak, Quercus robur, in Buckinghamshire and a new record for the Tree Register of the British Isles. 

If you would like further information about this tree contact Alex Peacock on 07884 055207