Most garden trees can be pruned or removed without anyone's permission. But some are protected, and working on a protected tree without the right consent can be a criminal offence. Here's what you need to know before any work is booked.
What is a Tree Preservation Order?
A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) is an order made by a local planning authority to protect specific trees, groups of trees or woodlands in the interests of amenity, usually because they make an important contribution to the local landscape and can be enjoyed by the public.
If a tree is covered by a TPO, you will generally need the council's consent before you cut down, top, lop, uproot, wilfully damage or wilfully destroy it. That includes pruning work such as crown reductions.
Trees in conservation areas
Trees in a conservation area that aren't covered by a TPO still have protection. In most cases you must give the local planning authority six weeks' written notice before carrying out work (often called a section 211 notice). This applies to trees with a stem diameter of 75mm or more, measured 1.5 metres above the ground.
The six weeks gives the council time to decide whether the tree should be protected by a TPO. If they don't respond, the work can usually go ahead once the notice period ends.
Are there exceptions?
There are some exceptions: for example certain work to dead trees, or work urgently needed to remove an immediate risk of serious harm. But notice requirements often still apply, and if you rely on an exception the responsibility to show it was justified is yours. It's always worth checking first.
What happens if protected trees are cut without consent?
Cutting down or wilfully destroying a protected tree without consent can lead to an unlimited fine, and you may be required to plant a replacement. Other unauthorised work can also be prosecuted.
How to check whether your tree is protected
- Contact your local planning authority. Around Loddon and Norwich this may be South Norfolk Council, Broadland District Council, Norwich City Council or Great Yarmouth Borough Council, and the Broads Authority within the Broads.
- Many councils publish TPO and conservation area maps online.
- Ask us. Checking for protection is part of how we plan every job, and we can support an application with a survey.
