Tree Preservation Orders and Conservation Area Trees

Tree Preservation Orders or TPOs were introduced to enable Local Planning Authorities to protect important trees. TPOs can be placed on any tree that has amenity value. TPOs prohibit the cutting down, uprooting, topping, lopping, willful damage or willful destruction of trees without the Local Authority's consent. The maximum penalty for carrying out works to TPO trees without consent is  20,000.

Works to, or the felling of trees that are dead, dying, diseased or dangerous do not require consent, subject to agreement with the Local Authority Tree Officer.

Trees in conservation areas, which are already protected by a TPO, are subject to normal TPO controls. The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 also make special provision for trees in conservation areas which are not subject to a TPO. Under section 211 anyone proposing to cut down or carry out work on a tree in a conservation area is required to give the LPA six weeks prior notice (a 'section 211 notice'). The purpose of this requirement is to give the LPA an opportunity to consider whether a TPO should be made in respect of the tree.

Related links

A guide to the law and best practice on Tree Preservation Orders and Conservation Area trees.

Guide to Tree Preservation Procedures - This new Communities and Local Government leaflet is written for tree owners, the general public and amenity groups, and answers some of the most common questions about tree preservation procedures. It is for guidance only and is not a statement of the law.

Make an application to carry out works to a TPO or Conservation Area tree(s).