Protected trees, listed buildings and conservation areas

Protected trees may be covered by a tree preservation order (TPO) or they may lie within a conservation area.

Some protected trees may also be protected because of a specific condition on a planning permission.

It is an offence to cut down, top, lop, uproot, wilfully damage or destroy any protected tree without the necessary consent. If you do this you may be prosecuted in the Magistrates' Court, be fined up to £20,000 and, in serious cases, committed for trial in the Crown Court.

View map of protected trees

View tree preservation order protocol

View tree enforcement protocol

TPOs are legal orders made to protect:

• single trees
• areas of trees
• groups of trees and woodlands

Request for a new Tree Preservation Order to be made

If you wish to request that tree(s) are given consideration for possible inclusion within a new tree preservation order (TPO), please make your requesting in writing by emailing planning.applications@tmbc.gov.uk.

To assist in processing your request please make the subject title of your email “Request for a new Tree Preservation Order to be made”

Please also provide the following information:

• Details sufficient to clearly identify the tree(s) that are subject of your request including the address(es) of the property/properties where the trees are standing and whereabouts at the address(es) they are standing / a detailed description of their location if not at a residential property.
• A plan showing the location of the tree(s) subject of the request in relation to the surrounding roadways, property boundaries and other trees (to produce such a plan you can use the protected trees map which is based on Ordnance Survey data and is available to use here, photographs of the subject tree(s) may also assist.
• The reason(s) why you wish the tree(s) to be included within a new TPO and any other information you wish the Council to consider when assessing your request including any evidence you have that the tree(s) are in immediate danger of being removed
• Your contact details (so we can advise of the outcome of your request or contact you if we need to arrange access)

Work on protected trees

If you want to do any works to trees covered by a TPO you need council permission. This applies to any works to lop, top, pollard or fell a tree. In addition, most trees within conservation areas have a similar protection and works to these may also need consent. Applications are free of charge.

apply for permission