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What Is A Tree Preservation Order? And Other Common Questions Answered

A Guide to Tree Preservation Orders

– Learn What a Tree Preservation Order Is

– Check Whether Your Tree Has a TPO

– Find Out How Tree Squadron Can Help

In recent times many people have fallen foul of Tree Preservation Orders, making changes to or removing trees from their properties. However, sometimes there are protections in place if a tree is important to a local environment or community. So what is a Tree Preservation Order, what does it protect, and how can you make changes to your tree?

What Is A Tree Preservation Order?

A Tree Preservation Order, also known as a TPO, is a type of order made by a Local Planning Authority (LPA) to protect a tree, a group of trees or a woodland. It’s done to protect them from deliberate damage and destruction.

If a tree has a preservation order, it means that tree can’t be cut down, uprooted, reduced or pruned without getting written consent from the LPA. A TPO can even limit these things from happening if a tree is diseased or dying, but exemptions do apply.

There are serious consequences for failing to abide by a Tree Preservation Order. If a tree is removed or destroyed then the landowner is liable to restore the tree or replace it. The LPA also has the ability to prosecute you, which could result in a fine ranging from £2,500 to £20,000.

Is My Tree Part Of A Tree Preservation Order?

The best way to check whether your tree is part of a TPO is by contacting your LPA directly and asking. You can find the details on your local council’s website, and they’ll point you in the direction of the LPA, their resident arborist or dedicated Tree Officer. From there, they’ll be able to inform you whether your tree is part of the TPO.

Similarly, your tree might be in a conservation area, which also means there are limits on what you can do to the tree.

How Long Does A Tree Preservation Order Last?

Once a TPO is created, it can be terminated or confirmed in the first six months of being in place. If no objections are received about the Tree Preservation Order in those six months, then the order becomes permanent. This means you’ll have to submit an application to the council if you wish to remove a tree protected with a TPO as there’s no renewal or expiry date.

How Can I Work Around A Tree Preservation Order?

If a tree has a preservation order protecting it, it doesn’t mean that a tree is untouchable. Instead, you can write to your LPA to make your case for the tree to be removed or replaced. If a tree is diseased, dying or requires maintenance to protect the tree and people walking past it, then you have a case for permission to be granted for work on the tree to be carried out.

You can work with Tree Squadron to give you the best chance of permission being granted, as we’ll be able to provide you with expertise and advice when it comes to tree surveys and inspections.

A further workaround for a Tree Preservation Order is by having planning permission granted on land where the tree currently is, with the removal of the tree being part of the approved application.

Call Tree Squadron Today

Tree Protection Orders At Tree Squadron

At Tree Squadron we’re fully-trained arborists with experience in dealing with and working around TPOs. Call us today if you’re struggling with a tree preservation-related issue in Cardiff and South Wales.

We can help you with any paperwork and can even handle the whole TPO procedure, providing you a full tree survey and completing the application on your behalf as your agent.

And once you do get permission to remove or trim a tree under a TPO, we can help with a range of services including tree removal, tree pruning, tree stump removal and high access tree surgery.

Get in touch today

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