Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)

Trees with Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) have special or outstanding qualities that may have arboricultural or historical interest or have significant amenity value. They are often in areas of special interest and strict government guidelines exist to protect them.

These guidelines can be viewed on:-

www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/tposguide under the heading

“Tree Preservation Orders – A Guide to the Law and Good Practice”

or enquiries can be addressed to:-

Trees and Hedges Team, Communities and Local Government, Zone3/E1, Eland House, Bressenden Place, London SW1F 5DU.

TPOs are issued by the Local Planning Authority to protect important trees and may be instigated when a tree is threatened, e.g. by building development. “It is the duty of the LPA to ensure adequate preservation and planting of trees when granting planning permission.”

No work can be carried out on a protected tree without permission from the LPA. Even if the tree is dead, dying or dangerous, it is advisable to seek the advice of the city's Tree Preservation Officer as the onus is on you to prove the condition and fines for damaging protected trees can be extremely high.

Any application for works to a protected tree must give full and specific details and, if permission is granted, must be carried out by an approved contractor.

If a TPO'd tree is lost for any reason, there is an obligation to replace it.

If you have concerns about a tree which has a TPO, or if you think a tree is significant enough to merit a TPO, then contact the Tree Preservation Officer.