Do I Need Permission for Tree Work? TPOs & Conservation Areas Explained
Cutting a protected tree without consent is a criminal offence with unlimited fines, and you often can't tell a protected tree by looking at it. Here's the plain-English version of the rules.
The two protections
- Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) protect specific trees or groups. Almost any work needs a formal application, decided within 8 weeks.
- Conservation areas protect all trees above 75mm trunk diameter. You must notify the council 6 weeks before working.
Much of Wareham, Swanage, Corfe Castle and Dorset's town centres sit in conservation areas, and this catches more people out than TPOs do.
What's exempt
- Dead trees and genuinely dangerous trees (with evidence: photograph everything first, and ideally get written confirmation from an arborist).
- Fruit trees managed for fruit production.
- Work required by other legal duties.
Exemptions are narrow and the burden of proof is on you. "It looked a bit dodgy" is not a defence.
How we handle it for you
We check the council's TPO and conservation area records for every single quote, so you don't need to know the status of your tree. Where consent is needed we specify the works correctly, submit the application, deal with the tree officer, and carry out exactly what's approved. The checking and application service is free within our quotes.
Prices shown are indicative UK ranges to help you budget. Every job is different, which is why our exact quotes are free. Call 01929 480 995 or use the form.