Talk to me about Tree Preservation Orders!

[MumblesAndMutters]

Niche, I know. Posting here for traffic.

Does anyone know how TPOs are given out? Is it a bit like applying to have a building listed? Is the process a lot of work, if open at all?

I live in a really built up urban area. We have a wonderful big, mature tree at the end of our street and a huge amount of demolition/construction due to take place near it later this year. It would be a huge pity if the only flash of green around here were to be damaged. I’ve worked out that it’s not currently protected by searching online. Is there something an ordinary person could do about that?

Get in touch with your council's tree department. If it has merit they can put an emergency TPO in place and then get a proper TPO sorted. They do the paperwork.

That’s really helpful, thank you! 😊 Is there a formal definition of “merit” I should use when I approach them, I wonder? Maybe it’s more relaxed than planning. Off down a Google rabbit hole I go.

Way more relaxed than planning in my encounter with them. They had a look at it and declared it was a great example that could be seen by the public and put an emergency TPO in straightaway.

Amazing! Thank you. I will come back and update if I hear back.

Well done for considering the trees, you are a Star OP

send photo by email?

Just to add to pp. yes email tree officer preferably with photos of tree and map showing location (google earth etc) tell them you’re concerned and wait for a reply. For a tpo to be created the tree has to add value to the public realm. The tree officer will has to consider the merits but can create an order if they feel one is required.

Every council I think has a Tree Officer who should come out to assess the tree and see if it's suitable for a TPO. It might depend on the tree's species, age (not necessarily to protect an old tree but how far along its lifespan it is), if you can make a case for it supporting other forms of wildlife (birds, insects etc), that might increase its chances of getting a TPO. Do bear in mind that if you get a TPO you'll have to keep an eye on it as some developers can be really oopsy-daisy-chainsawy around trees and not care if there's a TPO in place or not.