The council protects trees for the enjoyment of the public, through creation and monitoring of Tree Preservation Orders
Tree preservation orders and trees within a conservation area
The law protects certain individual and groups of trees. Trees covered by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) or trees within conservations 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. If you need to submit a planning application for work on a TPO tree or a tree in a conservation area please visit the planning application section of our website where you will find forms and advice.
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 suitable trained professional tree surgeon, who is covered by public liability insurance and always ask for proof of public liability insurance
- never employ house callers or leaflet droppers claiming to be professional tree surgeons - reputable Tree Surgeons will always have some form of professional identification and qualification proof. Always ask to see it
- reputable tree surgeons can be found in the Yellow Pages or you can contact us for further advice
Work to trees within a conservation area also requires consent from the council. Notification must be made in writing giving details of
- tree species
- location
- nature of the work to be carried out
Council owned trees
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.