Tree Preservaton Order

[Mr MXT]

I'm led to believe from the neighbours that some of our trees have TPO's on them. We bought the place in 2015 and I can't find anything in the paperwork from the conveyencer to confirm / deny this. I was hoping I could search on line but no such luck - I've contacted the council giving scant details and they told me I'd need to email the planning officers.

I don't particularly want to stick my head above the parapet, then they decide - "good idea, lets put a TPO on them!"

We're in a conservation area if that makes any difference.

Anyone have any thoughts to avoid getting the planners involved?

[rival38]

I think that inside a conservation area `all` trees are effectively subject to a PO. Pruning branches of less than a set diameter is ok in most instances - I forget what it is, 10cm? But there are lots of instances where permission can be achieved to cut much more, or remove entirely. Obviously if a tree becomes unsafe this is very simple, but sometimes an argument that too much light is being restricted, or that the roots may threaten footings can succeed.

Probably worth contacting a properly accredited local tree surgeon. The good ones will know the planning officers in your area, and will be able to give you a good idea of what may be possible. If you want work done, a good tree surgeon will handle the permission aspect for you.

In short - one way or the other you either involve the planners, or risk far greater agro when they involve themselves!

[Equus]

rival38 said:

I think that inside a conservation area `all` trees are effectively subject to a PO.

...In short - one way or the other you either involve the planners, or risk far greater agro when they involve themselves!

This, basically.

Personally, I wouldn't bother getting an arboriculturalist or tree surgeon involved, initially.

Just ring your local council Planning Department and ask to speak to the Tree Officer. They are very seldom the unreasonable monsters that received wisdom makes them out to be - they'll usually be perfectly helpful and may well surprise you with their realism and pragmatism.

[Toltec]

We had a large oak tree removed within a conservation area as there were some signs of rot and if it fell or lost branches in a storm they would land on our and/or a neighbours house. Other than the cost of getting what turned out to be 17+ tons of tree removed there was no problem getting permission. One of the key points is probably to use a tree surgeon well known to and having a good reputation with the council tree officer.

[Slushbox]

What Equus said, +1.

I drive one of the local arb surveyors around, though I don't know one twig from another. The local Tree Officers are usually highly knowledgeable, and mostly available on the phone. We often call them from survey sites for TPO'd tree info.

There's a duty on tree owners to inspect trees; 'Hazard Harassment' - so pro-active management is always better, especially if trees are close to neighbours.

There's more info on TPO's here:

https://sites.google.com/site/johnstonarb/