Tree Management & Preservation 

We are responsible for the efficient management of trees in Authority ownership within urban and rural environments.
The law protects certain individual and groups of trees. Those trees that have Tree Preservations Orders (TPO's) or are within Conservation Areas are protected under a range of legislation that makes it an offence to carry out any work on those trees without permission from the Local Authority.

TPOs can be placed on any tree that has amenity value. Trees that are exempt from TPOs are those that are dead, dying, diseased or dangerous and fruit trees grown for the commercial production of fruit.

TPOs prohibit the cutting down, uprooting, topping, lopping, wilful damage or wilful destruction of trees without the Local Authorities consent.

The maximum penalty for carrying out works to TPO trees without consent is £20,000.

The Council's policy is only to protect trees that are under a direct threat.

Trees that grow in Council owned property or on public open spaces are also protected as they are deemed as Council Property. Anyone wilfully damaging these can be prosecuted.

The Authority has its own professional tree maintenance team who carries out all appropriate tree care and maintenance to trees owned by the council.

If you have any queries or would like advice about tree care and maintenance, please Contact Us.

Some advice for private tree owners 

• Always contact the Local Authority to ensure that the trees are not protected by a Tree Protection Order, planning constraints or that the tree is within a Conservation area. 
• Always employ a suitably trained professional Tree Surgeon, who is covered by Public Liability Insurance. (Always ask for proof). 
• Exercise caution when employing house callers or leaflet droppers claiming to be professional tree surgeons. Always ask for proof that they are qualified. If they are, they will not mind you asking.
• Reputable Tree Surgeons will always have some form of professional identification and qualification proof. Always ask to see it. 
• Details of reputable tree surgeons can be found in the Yellow Pages, the Phone Book and online. Alternatively, you can contact us for further advice.

If you propose to undertake works to a protected tree (within a conservation area or coverered by a tree preservation area), you will need to make an application to the Local Planning Authority.

Tree work application forms can be found at our Trees and Hedgerow Application page.