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  • Tree Preservation Orders served since 1st January 2010

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Tree Preservation Orders

Introduction

The purpose of a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) is to protect individual and groups of trees for the public’s enjoyment. The order makes it an offence to cut down, uproot, prune, damage or destroy the tree or trees in question. A TPO can apply to a single tree, a group of trees or a woodland. TPOs can only apply to trees, they can not apply to bushes, shrubs or hedges (unless the hedge has reverted back to a line of individual trees). The tree or trees can be of any size, species or age.

It should be noted that the serving of a TPO on a tree does not mean that the council is responsible for the tree’s management. 

For further information -

Applications to carry out works to protected trees

Tree FAQs (including details of how to find out if a tree is protected by a TPO; obtaining a copy of a TPO etc.)

Protected Trees: A guide to tree preservation procedures (DCLG 2012)

Tree Preservation Orders: A guide to the law and good practice (ODPM 2000 with later amendments)