Understanding How A Tree Preservation Order Can Impact Your Property
Trees are an integral part of our environment and play a crucial role in supporting local ecosystems. At Kneebone Trees, we are passionate about caring for trees and ensuring that landscapes across Devon are well-maintained all year long.
Despite how vital trees are and how much tree surgeons like those on our team care for them, not everyone feels the same way. Trees are not free from harm or removal in our society, with threats such as new developments, landscaping plans and even public opinion limiting their existence.
Some trees are more important than others and in a bid to protect them from these threats, Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) are put in place.
With our expertise and passion for tree care, Kneebone Trees offers an exclusive service for TPOs and can help maintain the health and beauty of sites across the region. In this guide, we are sharing everything you need to know about TPOs and how this can impact your landscaping work.
What Is A Tree Preservation Order (TPO)?
Trees are incredibly important to our environment. Not only are they attractive and can often be a focal point in landscapes, gardens and grounds but they also offer health benefits to humans, wildlife and local ecosystems.
In our modern age, a lot of trees are being removed due to new developments such as building sites, expansions and urbanisation of all areas. However, not all trees can be removed no matter what work is taking place around them. This is because of Tree Preservation Orders.
Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) are legal mechanisms used by local authorities across the UK to protect specific trees, groups of trees, or woodlands from wilful damage or destruction.
Some trees have been deemed to have specific aesthetic or historic value to the region and therefore need to stay unharmed. With a TPO in place, the tree cannot be harmed or reduced in any way which limits cutting down, lopping, uprooting or wilful destruction.
These orders are in place to ensure that significant trees are retained and can continue to thrive in the landscape, providing benefits such as public enjoyment and ecological health.
If a tree has a TPO, then it cannot be reduced or removed without permission – even if it is interfering with your landscape or your project.
Navigating tree preservation orders can be complicated, but Kneebone Trees is committed to supporting our clients and local environments in every way we can.
Why Are TPOs Issued?
There are several reasons why a TPO may be issued to trees across the region. These orders are in place to protect significant trees which offer value in the form of the following:
- Aesthetic Value: Trees that significantly enhance the landscape’s visual appeal may be protected to maintain the area’s character.
- Historic Significance: Trees that have been part of a landscape for many years and hold historical importance might be preserved to retain the area’s heritage.
- Environmental Benefits: Trees that provide critical habitats for wildlife or contribute significantly to environmental stability may be preserved.
- Public Health and Well-being: Trees contribute to cleaner air and provide shaded spaces which can enhance the quality of life in urban areas.
This can apply to a range of tree types and species, and there are many TPOs in place across Devon.
Tree Preservation Orders And Property Owners: What Does This Mean For You?
A tree preservation order can apply to a range of trees, based on their aesthetic or historical value. Having a TPO on trees at your premises can complicate matters when it comes to caring for your landscape and managing the property as a whole.
You must understand what having a TPO on your landscape means and the implications that come with this to avoid legal penalties while also supporting the ongoing health of the tree.
Kneebone Trees offers a complete Tree Preservation Order service to our clients in Devon and the surrounding areas, working to not only preserve local environments but also deliver exceptional tree care for the benefit of our clients.
As a property or land owner dealing with TPOs, you have several responsibilities in caring for this significant tree, including:
Tree Care And Maintenance
While a TPO doesn’t prevent necessary maintenance, any work done on the tree must be authorised by the local authority. From regular pruning to treatment and repairs, permission is needed before you can do any form of work on the protected tree.
Applying for permission and getting in touch with local authorities can be a complex process, but Kneebone Trees is here to help. Not only do we offer comprehensive tree surveys to determine what work is required across your landscape to support healthy trees, but can also aid your TPO applications.
We can assist with the application process for any kind of work needed on protected trees, as well as support appeals should your application be refused.
Planning Consent
Having a protected tree on your property can also hinder the amount of work you can do to your home or business. Much like tree care, any construction or development work that you plan on doing may need permission from local authorities first.
The TPO also needs to be considered in all building plans, to ensure the ongoing health and appeal of the tree. Your construction cannot hinder the tree’s growth or cause it to change its appearance.
No work can take place on your site without permission from local authorities, which may also require site visits to determine whether the tree will be harmed in the process.
Legal Compliance
Finally, as the land or property owner impacted by a TPO, you have the legal responsibility to care for this protected tree. As the tree is present on your land, it legally belongs to you. It is your responsibility to avoid all unauthorised work or damage to the tree, to ensure it continues to be a significant element within the local landscape.
As the land or property owner, any unauthorised work on a TPO-protected tree can result in substantial fines and, in extreme cases, criminal charges directed to you.
Our team is here to help with all your TPO-related needs, offering support during applications as well as extensive tree care services that can carefully manage these trees on your behalf.
What Kind Of Trees Are Protected?
Due to the various reasons why a tree may be protected, such as historical or aesthetic value, no two Tree Preservation Orders are the same. There are countless examples of TPOs across the UK and in Devon specifically, each covering a different species or type of tree.
To give you an idea of what kinds of trees are often protected so you can be prepared when moving, buying land or tending to an outdoor space, some common examples include:
- Oak Trees in urban environments are commonly protected due to their significant size, age, and ecological value. Most oak trees provide habitats for numerous species and therefore need to be protected.
- Beech Trees in historical parks across the UK may be preserved for their aesthetic contribution and historical importance, based on their age and how long they have been present in this specific environment.
- Yew Trees in churchyards are often safeguarded for their cultural and spiritual significance, as they are often linked to local heritage and history.
Other species may also be impacted by tree preservation orders, but this is a great starting guide for land and property owners. It is always a good idea to check ahead of time whether a TPO impacts your land or premises, as this can prevent legal issues down the line.
Conclusion
Tree Preservation Orders play a crucial role in supporting our environment and are in place across the UK to protect significant trees. These orders may be placed on trees to protect their aesthetic appeal, historical value, or wildlife benefits and can apply to all kinds of trees.
As a land or property owner dealing with a TPO, you have a legal responsibility to protect this tree from wilful damage or destruction. Failure to protect the tree can cause legal issues, such as fines and even criminal charges based on the severity of the damage.
With a lot of factors contributing to TPOs and their management, navigating these kinds of trees can be difficult. Kneebone Trees is here to help and we offer a comprehensive TPO service to support our clients across Devon and the surrounding areas.
Our team of experts is committed to providing professional and reliable services to ensure your trees are cared for responsibly, whether they are protected or not.
Contact Us Today
If you are dealing with tree preservation orders or require more information about our tree care services, please contact us today.
