By Rebecca Perring, Reporter.

During the Tree Wardens Forum delegates talked about national and local issues affecting trees and highlighted the important role that Tree Wardens play in tree preservation.

The Hertfordshire Tree Wardens Forum was organised by St Albans District Council as a joint venture with Stevenage, Welwyn Hatfield and Dacorum Borough Councils.

During the forum tree experts from various organisation praised the essential work of Tree Wardens in helping combat diseases through data collection and surveillance work.

The speakers included Ellen Carvey of Barcham Trees, who talked about "Choosing Your Trees" and Dr Stephen Parnell of Rothamsted Research who spoke on "Invasive Tree Pathogens".

In addition, Jon Stokes of The Tree Council talked about national changes that can have an impact on local trees, such as weather and diseases. Dr Agneta Burton of the University of Hertfordshire also explained Open Air Laboratories’ (OPAL) new tree health survey.

The Tree Warden Coordinator can be reached via email at treewardens@stalbans.gov.uk or by contacting 01727 819363.

More information visit http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/environmentandwaste/trees-and-woodlands/voluntarytreewardens.aspx