Why Is My Tree Protected?
Have you been wondering, ‘why is my tree protected?’ or why some trees have Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) applied to them, and others have not? Is there a tree on your property which has a TPO and you are not sure why it is protected?
A tree preservation order is made by your local planning authority. Which makes it an offence to lop, uproot, cut down or willfully damage
or destroy a tree without the permission of the local authority. Intending to protect trees that have a high amenity value to the surrounding area.
Reason for a TPO can include:
- Trees that have historical importance,
- Trees that are particularly rare,
- Trees that are highly visible to the public,
- Trees that are of a certain size, form and health combined with how it fits with the surrounding area,
- Trees that will have a detrimental impact on the surroundings in the event of their removal or death.
Conservation Areas
There is a slightly different approach taken to trees that are within a conservation area. Trees that have a TPO applied to them within a conservation area should be dealt with in accordance with normal Tree Preservation Order stipulations. However, in the case of trees that are based within a conservation area but do not have a TPO applied to them, a minimum of 6 weeks’ notice must be given to the local authority before any work is due to start. The local authority may then consider applying a TPO to that tree.
What Work Can Be Done?
There are certain works that can be carried out on trees that have a TPO applied to them, including:
- The removal of dead branches from a living tree,
- The removal of a dead tree,
- The removal of a tree that is in the way of a development project, which has received planning permission,
- The cutting or pruning of a tree that presents an urgent safety risk,
- The cutting or pruning of trees in line with the Forestry Commission’s grant scheme or under obligation under an Act of Parliament.
Any other works would require an application to be submitted to the local authority. This application should be submitted prior to work taking place, and permission must be received before any work commences.
How Can We Help?
ProHort provide a range of Tree Preservation Order related services.
Including application and appeal submissions and TPO searches to help you to identify if one of your trees has a TPO applied to it.
Get in touch to find out more about how we can help you?