Tree Preservation Orders

Tree Preseravtion orders (commonly known as 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 prohibits the cutting down, uprooting, topping, lopping, wilful damage or wilful destruction of trees without the local authority's 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.

The leaflet Protected Trees: A Guide to Tree Preservation Procedures may be downloaded from http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/protectedtreesguide.pdf.