What is a tree protection order or TPO?
A TPO is a written order decided by a local planning authority (e.g. borough, district or unitary council or a national park authority).This makes it a civil offense to cut down, top, lop, uproot, wilfully damage or wilfully destroy a tree protected by that order without the authority’s permission. The purpose is to protect ancient trees and local heritage for future generations to enjoy. See below - the Arboricultural Association link
An order can protect a single tree or all trees within a defined area or woodland. Any species can be protected, but no species is automatically protected by a tree preservation order. Also local planning authorities decide criteria for TPO's and so these may differ form council to council.
To discover if a tree is protected, you can contact the local planning authority. Tree preservation orders will be available for inspection at its offices. Or conduct an official search of the local land charges register. This will reveal the existence of an order and whether a property is in a conservation area, and is best done before buying a property. Make sure your legal adviser tells you if any trees are protected.
New legislation came into force on 6 April 2012 affecting all existing and new tree preservation orders. Click here for a link to the HM Department for Communities and local Government information booklet.
A TPO is a written order decided by a local planning authority (e.g. borough, district or unitary council or a national park authority).This makes it a civil offense to cut down, top, lop, uproot, wilfully damage or wilfully destroy a tree protected by that order without the authority’s permission. The purpose is to protect ancient trees and local heritage for future generations to enjoy. See below - the Arboricultural Association link
An order can protect a single tree or all trees within a defined area or woodland. Any species can be protected, but no species is automatically protected by a tree preservation order. Also local planning authorities decide criteria for TPO's and so these may differ form council to council.
To discover if a tree is protected, you can contact the local planning authority. Tree preservation orders will be available for inspection at its offices. Or conduct an official search of the local land charges register. This will reveal the existence of an order and whether a property is in a conservation area, and is best done before buying a property. Make sure your legal adviser tells you if any trees are protected.
New legislation came into force on 6 April 2012 affecting all existing and new tree preservation orders. Click here for a link to the HM Department for Communities and local Government information booklet.
Arboricultural Association
The Arboricultural Association offers a guide for the legislation of trees in the UK. Richmond upon Thames provides a list of protected trees in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Naturenet advises on gaining a TPO and the Department of the Environment offers an eight-page guide for download covering all aspects of TPO's.
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The black poplarThe black poplar (populous nigra) is Britain's rarest timber tree with only 10,000 specimens remaining and almost half of these in Aylesbury Vale. It was once widespread along the Thames in Richmond, Chiswick and Teddington, and thrives in river and floodplains. To increase numbers, consider planting . Contact The Wildlife Trust to find out how to help. In West London, contact Surrey Wildlife Trust.
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