Professional Advice & Applications for Protected Trees

A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) is a legal protection placed on specific trees, groups of trees, or woodlands by a local council. If a tree is protected by a TPO, it is a criminal offence to prune, damage, or remove it without formal consent.

At Tree Survey Team, we provide expert TPO advice, tree assessments, and application support to help you manage protected trees legally, safely, and efficiently. Whether you need consent for tree works, want to check if a tree is protected, or require a supporting arboricultural report, our qualified consultants are here to help.

What Is a Tree Preservation Order (TPO)?

A Tree Preservation Order protects trees that offer public amenity, visual interest, or ecological value. TPOs can apply to single trees, groups, or entire areas and make it illegal to carry out tree works without permission from the local authority.This protection ensures that important trees are retained and managed appropriately rather than removed or damaged through development or neglect.

A TPO restricts works such as:

  • Pruning or cutting back
  • Crown lifting, thinning, or reduction
  • Removal or felling
  • Root damage or excavation
  • Building works within the root zone
  • Any operation likely to cause harm

If you carry out work without consent, fines can reach £20,000 per offence — or unlimited penalties if taken to Crown Court.

Why You Might Need TPO Support

Navigating TPO regulations can be complex, especially when dealing with urgent tree work, safety concerns, or development proposals. Councils require clear justification before granting consent, and applications must often be supported by an arboricultural assessment.

Common reasons for needing TPO assistance:

  • A tree poses a health and safety risk
  • Branches are causing damage or obstruction
  • Roots are affecting foundations, drains, or hard surfaces
  • You want to prune or manage a large tree
  • You plan to remove a tree due to disease or decline
  • You are planning building or landscaping works near the tree
  • You are purchasing a property with protected trees

Tree Survey Team provides the professional assessments needed to support a successful application.

What Our TPO Service Includes

Our team offers clear, practical assistance at every stage — from identifying whether a tree is protected to submitting a strong, evidence-backed application for consent.

Our comprehensive TPO service includes:

  • TPO Checks & Confirmation We identify whether a tree is subject to a TPO or located within a Conservation Area, ensuring you understand your legal obligations.
  • Professional Tree Assessment A detailed inspection of tree health, condition, and structural stability to inform what works are appropriate and necessary.
  • Justification Report for Tree Works Clear, evidence-based reasoning to support your application, including photographs, measurements, and arboricultural recommendations.
  • Submission of TPO Applications We prepare and submit the application directly to the council on your behalf, including all required forms and supporting documents.
  • Liaison With Local Authorities We communicate with planning officers to progress your application and respond to any queries.
  • Appeals & Refusals Support If your application is refused, we can help prepare an appeal or alternative proposal.

Who Needs TPO Advice & Applications?

TPO assistance is essential for homeowners, developers, landowners, and businesses with protected trees on or near their property.

Typical clients include:

  • Homeowners with large or troublesome protected trees
  • Developers planning works near TPO trees
  • Landlords and estate agents
  • Schools, councils, and public institutions
  • Commercial premises and property managers

If you’re unsure whether a tree is protected — or what works are allowed — professional guidance is essential.

TPOs and Conservation Areas

If your property is within a Conservation Area, you must notify the council before carrying out any tree work, even if there is no TPO. This requires a 6-week notice period, during which the council decides whether to permit the work or issue a TPO.

We assist with:

  • Conservation Area notifications
  • Supporting arboricultural statements
  • Emergency works justification
  • Guidance on legal exemptions

We ensure your application is compliant, professional, and more likely to be approved.

When You Need Permission — And When You Don’t

Some urgent or safety-related works do not require consent, but the law still requires evidence that the work was necessary.

Permission is usually not required for:

  • Dead trees
  • Dangerous trees that pose an immediate risk
  • Removal of broken or hanging branches after storms
  • Work approved through a BS5837 development process

However, evidence must be provided — often including an arboricultural report — to prove the exemption applies.

Tree Survey Team can inspect the tree, document the issue, and advise on the correct course of action.

Fast, Reliable TPO Support

We understand the urgency and complexity surrounding protected trees. Our team provides quick site visits, clear advice, and well-prepared applications to minimise delays and ensure legal compliance.

With our service, you benefit from:

  • Expert arboricultural advice
  • Accurate, detailed assessments
  • Fully compliant applications
  • Fast turnaround times
  • Competitive pricing
  • Support throughout the whole process

We make navigating TPO regulations simple, clear, and stress-free.

Why Choose Tree Survey Team for TPO Work?

Our consultants are highly experienced in dealing with protected trees and local authority regulations. We help secure consent efficiently while ensuring trees are managed safely and responsibly.

Our strengths include:

  • Qualified arboricultural surveyors
  • Strong success rate with TPO applications
  • Clear, council-friendly reports
  • Nationwide coverage
  • Transparent, competitive pricing
  • Same-day quotes available

We ensure you stay compliant while getting the results you need.

Get a TPO Consultation or Application Quote

If you need advice or an application for a protected tree, contact Tree Survey Team today for expert help and a fast, competitive quote.

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