Tree Preservation Orders

A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) is a legal mechanism granted by a local planning authority to protect and preserve single trees, groups of trees and whole woodlands from deliberate damage or removal. Whilst trees in hedgerows can be covered, hedgerows themselves cannot be protected by a TPO. 

Anyone wishing to carry out any work on a TPO-protected tree MUST apply for permission (similar to a planning application) to the local authority. This includes all aspects of general tree maintenance including pruning, coppicing, pollarding, crown reduction/lifting or removal of individual branches.   

The majority of Fox Hill woods is covered by a TPO including the area in which we perform our conservation activities. This means that we must obtain permission from Wokingham Borough Council before carrying out work such as hazel coppicing. Permission is only granted for specific areas or numbers of trees and is time-limited. We had permission for last year’s coppicing but in order to do further coppicing this autumn we need to apply for another permit.

Rhododendron Ponticum is not covered by the TPO as it is an invasive non-native species, so no special permission is required to remove it from the woods. We are mindful of the bird nesting season (March to September) and always check for nests before starting work but otherwise it can be removed all year round.

Failure to obtain permission before carrying out work on a protected tree or failure to prevent damage to a protected tree or its roots can result in prosecution and fines up to £20,000. Serious cases can go to criminal court where the fines and costs can be unlimited. 
Incidentally, the two most recent high-profile cases of tree damage in the UK (the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree and the ‘Guy Fawkes’ tree in Enfield) involved trees that were not protected by TPOs so other routes to prosecution had to be followed. 

If you believe or suspect a TPO is being violated either on public or private land, check the local Wokingham Borough Council TPO map:
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/c0ad4ce95f8e46cfb28bb8cb126eaec0

If the tree or trees are covered by a TPO, report it through the council’s Planning Enforcement page:
https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/planning/planning-enforcement-request/planning-enforcement-request

If you believe a tree may be at risk and it is not covered by an existing TPO you can submit an application to the council, see this page for information:
https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/countryside-parks-and-conservation/trees-hedges-and-grass-cutting/tree-preservation-orders-tpos/how-request-tree-preservation-order