Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) are the principal means of planning control, in England and Wales, over the felling or maltreatment of amenity trees. TPOs can be made by a local authority to protect individual trees of exceptional amenity value, groups of trees and woodlands in the interests of good forestry or because of special amenity value, or all trees within a certain area, whether urban or rural. TPOs do not, however, normally include blanket protection over large areas. TPOs are designed to protect amenity trees which might be at risk, but not to hinder careful silvicultural management.
Tree Preservation Orders may:
- Prohibit the damage or destruction, felling, lopping, topping or uprooting of trees, except with the consent of the local authority.
- Ensure the replanting according to specified conditions of any part of woodland area which is felled as part of permitted forestry operations.
- Require the replacement as soon as reasonably possible of any tree (other than one which is part of a woodland) which is removed or destroyed in contravention of the order, or which dies. The replacement tree is protected by the original order.
Trees subject to a TPO should normally be visible from a road, footpath or other public place. Anyone can check whether TPOs are in force on any trees by contacting the local authority. There can be severe fines for contravention of TPOs.
