Tree works and preservation overview

1. Overview

How to find out if a tree is protected, and when you need permission to work on protected trees

Before doing work on or cutting down a tree, you need to check:

• if it is protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO)
  
• if it is in a Conservation Area
  
• if there are any existing planning or legal conditions which protect it
  
• whether you need a felling licence from the Forestry Commission
• whether it is part of a protected countryside hedgerow
  

Tree Preservation Orders (TPO)

You must get permission for carrying out any work on a tree which is covered by a TPO.

You can find out whether a tree is covered by a TPO online:

Conservation Areas

You must get permission before working on any tree which is within a Conservation Area. The exceptions are trees which:

• have trunks smaller than 7.5cm in diameter (roughly an adult's wrist size) at 1.5m height above ground level
  
• are commercially cultivated for fruit
  
• are dangerous
  
• form part of a hedge of two or more trees 
  

You must apply for permission at least 6 weeks in advance of any proposed work to trees. This gives us time to assess the contribution the tree makes to the character of the Conservation Area, and whether to allow the work to take place.

Dangerous, diseased and dead trees

If you need to do urgent work on a protected tree, you may be asked to provide proof that the tree was dangerous, diseased or dead after carrying out the work. If the tree is in a Conservation Area, you may also have to plant replacement trees to maintain the character of the area.

You are strongly advised to:

• consult a professional arboriculturalist
  
• take photographs of the tree
• retain sections of felled timber
• give us at least five days’ notice before carrying out work, if there is no immediate threat to life or property - email landscape.planning@leeds.gov.uk