including Beech Bottom Dyke and Sandridge Road Wastes
We reported on the Oak Processionary Moth last year, which can defoliate trees, especially oak. As far as we know, none have been seen on the Heath and the nearest outbreak was in Watford. Contact with these moths should be avoided because they have irritating spines which can cause an allergic reaction. They are likely to emerge in early April.
For a fuller account of this moth, see the Forestry Commission update.
This heavy branch (top photo) )was left across the track from Townsend Drive to the Ancient Briton as the result of Storm Doris. Our chainsaw was faulty, so we were reduced to muscle power and bow saws (inset). As a result this precariously perched branch was moved out of the way. A fallen tree in Harpenden Road caused traffic to be diverted to Townsend Drive/Waverley Road on Saturday afternoon.
As you will probably know, there are a lot of oak trees on the Heath and these could be affected by the oak processionary moth (OPM) following an outbreak in Watford.
People are being advised not to touch the OPM caterpillars and nests, to keep animals away from the pests, and to report sightings to the Forestry Commission and the District Council.
OPM can affect trees, people and animals, and was first discovered in England in London in 2005. Tree and public health authorities in Hertfordshire have been preparing for the possibility of its spreading into the county.
The caterpillars shed thousands of their tiny hairs in the nests, and these can cause itchy skin rashes and eye irritations. In extremely rare cases, they can cause breathing difficulties in people and animals. The caterpillars eat oak leaves, leaving infested trees weakened and vulnerable to other threats.
Click on the left-hand image and move through the sequence using the arrow or right-arrow key
The horse chestnut, which might be thought native to the British Isles as it is so widespread,in fact hails from the Balkans and Greece and has been introduced here.
Oliver Rackham, the renowned authority on trees in the British landscape, referred to the horse chestnut as the ‘bus station tree’ as it seemed to be the species of choice for that location.
The horse chestnut (and a false acacia) in front of Chime Square above, along with some walls, are all that remain now of the St Albans bus garage which was on the site.
This young tree on the upper field received unwanted attention recently – broken at the stump (inset A) and a broken retaining strap (inset B, shown on another tree). Straps have been broken on other support posts in the background too. If you have any information on the culprit, please let us know – click the FoBH icon in the sidebar.
October 20th was one of those few bright sunny days when the trees were their best. This photo shows the the riot of colour that can be seen if you’re lucky.
There are many more autumnal photos of the Heath in our gallery