The United Kingdom has a history of legislation that protects trees and woodlands, giving Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) wide powers to make tree preservation orders (TPOs). This protection is similar in ways to that of the system of listing buildings and helps preserve our most valued trees.

A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) protects trees or woodland areas where they make a significant contribution and impact on their local surroundings. It is worth noting that all species of trees can be protected, however hedges, bushes or shrubs cannot. You may ask your LPA to consider making a TPO for trees that you would like protected.

Tree owners still remain responsible for the maintenance of their trees and any damage that they may cause. but the order makes it an offence to cut down, uproot, prune, lop or damage the tree in question without first obtaining the Council’s consent, anyone found liable could be fined up to £20,000 in a Magistrates Court or an unlimited fine on indictment at Crown Court.

TPO services

Tree Surveys offer a range of services related to tree preservation orders:

• Assistance with the application of a TPO.
• Surveying trees to assess suitability for TPOs.
• Providing a specification for pruning, or other works, to trees that are under a TPO.
• Provision of expert evidence where trees have been removed contrary to an existing TPO.