Tree preservation orders
A Tree Preservation order (TPO) is made by the local planning authority (District Council) to protect specific trees or a particular woodland from deliberate damage and destruction.
TPOs prevent the felling, lopping, topping, uprooting or otherwise wilful damaging of trees without the permission of the local planning authority.
- Details of these trees are kept at the relevant District Council offices.
- If a tree is protected, written permission is required to remove it or to carry out any tree surgery.
An owner, or a contractor working on behalf of the owner, can apply for work to be carried out on protected trees. A decision is usually given within 6 weeks for Conservation Areas and 2 months for Tree Preservation Orders and planning conditions.
When trees are removed, it is usual for the owner to be required to plant replacements, usually of the same, or a more appropriate species, at the same location.
Before working on a tree, check with your District Council to see if it is subject to a TPO.