Trees
Works to protected trees
Consent to cut down or prune a tree with a Tree Preservation Order, or 6 weeks' notice for a tree in a conservation area. There's no fee.
- Decision period
- TPO consent: if the council hasn't decided within 8 weeks of receiving the application you can appeal (Tree Preservation Regulations 2012 reg. 19). Conservation area notice: you may do the work after 6 weeks from the date of the notice, and within 2 years (TCPA 1990 s.211).
- Documents
- 2 always needed, 3 depending on the proposal
- Checks
- 22 · last checked 14 November 2026
You may not need to apply
You may not need consent or notice: in a conservation area, trees with a trunk diameter of 75 mm or less (measured over the bark 1.5 m above ground) are exempt. There are also exceptions for dead trees and branches, work that is urgently needed to remove an immediate risk of serious harm, fruit trees, and work needed to carry out a planning permission, among others. Exceptions are narrow, and some require you to tell the council beforehand, so check with the tree officer before relying on one. Hedges and trees with no TPO outside a conservation area don't need the council's permission (other laws, such as wildlife law and felling licences, can still apply).
This is a hint, not a promise. Conservation areas, listed buildings, Article 4 directions and earlier conditions can remove permitted development rights. For certainty, apply for a lawful development certificate or ask the council.
Work this type is for
In the words applicants use. ValidFirst suggests this type when someone describes work like this.
- TPO
- tree preservation order
- fell a tree
- cut down a tree
- crown reduction
- crown lift
- pollard
- tree pruning
- tree in conservation area
- section 211 notice
- tree causing subsidence
- overhanging branches
- dead tree
- hedge tree
The documents, and what each must show
Documents that are always needed come first. Each point is what the check looks for, with the article or guidance it rests on. The council’s local validation list can add to these.
Application form or notice
Always neededThe standard application form for works to trees (TPO consent), or your section 211 notice for trees in a conservation area. The same Planning Portal form works for both. Save or download the PDF and upload it here.
What it must show
- The file opens and can be read: not password-protected, not corrupted, and text and dimensions are legible when zoomed in.
- For a TPO tree: the standard form published by the Secretary of State. For a conservation area notice any form will do, but it must be in writing.Tree Preservation Regulations 2012 reg. 16(1)(a)
- Each tree is identified (number on the order or plan, species, location).TCPA 1990 s.211(3)(a)
- The work for each tree is specified precisely (for example 'reduce crown by 2 m', 'fell to ground level'), not just 'trim'.PPG Tree Preservation Orders and trees in conservation areas, "How detailed should the description of proposed work be?"
- Reasons are given for the work.Tree Preservation Regulations 2012 reg. 16(1)(c)(iii)
- For a section 211 notice: it's dated.PPG Tree Preservation Orders and trees in conservation areas, "What information should be in a section 211 notice?"
- Where trees are to be felled, replacement planting is proposed.PPG Tree Preservation Orders and trees in conservation areas, "How detailed should the description of proposed work be?"
Required by Tree Preservation Regulations 2012 reg. 16(1)(a)
Plan identifying the trees
Always neededA sketch or plan that clearly shows which trees the work is for, numbered to match the form. It doesn't have to be a formal scaled plan. Required for TPO trees; helpful for a conservation area notice.
What it must show
- The file opens and can be read: not password-protected, not corrupted, and text and dimensions are legible when zoomed in.
- Each tree is marked and numbered to match the form.Tree Preservation Regulations 2012 reg. 16(1)(c)(i)
- Main features of the property are shown (buildings, boundaries, road) so the trees can be found.PPG Tree Preservation Orders and trees in conservation areas, "How detailed should the plan be?"
- A north point or a named road is shown for orientation.PPG Tree Preservation Orders (plan guidance)
Required by Tree Preservation Regulations 2012 reg. 16(1)(c)(i)
Evidence of damage to property
Depends on the proposalNeeded when the reason is damage to a building, wall, drain or path: technical evidence from an engineer or surveyor.
What it must show
- The file opens and can be read: not password-protected, not corrupted, and text and dimensions are legible when zoomed in.
- Shows that the tree is a material cause of the damage and that other causes have been ruled out as far as possible.PPG Tree Preservation Orders and trees in conservation areas, "What supporting information is needed ... alleged damage to property?"
- Comes from a relevant engineer, building or drainage surveyor or other appropriate expert.PPG Tree Preservation Orders and trees in conservation areas, "What supporting information is needed ... alleged damage to property?"
- For subsidence: includes a description of the damage and crack monitoring, site investigation (trial pits, soil analysis, root identification) and a drainage survey.Standard TPO application form guidance notes
- Includes an arboricultural report linking the roots to the damage.Standard TPO application form guidance notes
Required by Tree Preservation Regulations 2012 reg. 16(1)(c)(iv)
Evidence of the tree's condition
Depends on the proposalNeeded when the reason is that the tree is dead, dying, diseased or unsafe: a report from an arboriculturist, with photographs.
What it must show
- The file opens and can be read: not password-protected, not corrupted, and text and dimensions are legible when zoomed in.
- Describes the tree's health or the defect, and the risk it poses.Tree Preservation Regulations 2012 reg. 16(1)(c)(iv)
- Comes from an arboriculturist (or other qualified person).PPG Tree Preservation Orders
- Includes photographs showing the defect.Standard TPO application form guidance notes
Required by Tree Preservation Regulations 2012 reg. 16(1)(c)(iv)
Photographs of the trees
RecommendedRecent photos of each tree. Not required, but they help the tree officer.
What it must show
- The file opens and can be read: not password-protected, not corrupted, and text and dimensions are legible when zoomed in.
- Each tree in the application is shown, labelled with its number.Council practice
Required by Council practice