Website of the UK government

Why protect trees and hedges?

Trees and hedges are a key element of our countryside, but they also have a major part to play in urban areas. Trees and hedges in private gardens, parks and other open spaces, or lining the sides of our streets, railways, rivers and canals are of great importance to people, particularly in residential areas. 

They can also provide valuable habitats for wildlife, improve the air we breathe, and help to conserve energy in nearby buildings.

Protected trees

Trees may be protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) or other legal procedures to make sure that they are not lost or damaged needlessly. 

Your local council can issue a TPO for specific trees. If a tree is protected by a TPO the council's consent is required before it may be felled or pruned. Trees located in conservation areas also have a degree of protection. To check whether a tree is protected you should contact your local council.

An introduction to the TPO system is set out in the leaflet 'Protected Trees: A Guide to Tree Preservation Procedures'. It answers some of the most common questions asked by tree owners and the public. You can download the leaflet from the link below or obtain a printed copy of the leaflet from Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Free Literature, by phoning 0870 1226 236.

More detailed and comprehensive guidance can be found by visiting the DCLG's website and viewing the section 'Tree Preservation Orders: A Guide to the Law and Good Practice'. Hard copies (costing £8) are available from the DCLG Publications Sales Centre, by phoning 0870 1226 236.

• Download the leaflet 'Protected Trees: A Guide to Tree Preservation Procedures' from Communities and Local Government Opens new window
• Tree Preservation Orders: A Guide to the Law and Good Practice Opens new window
• Help with PDF files

Apply for permission to work on a protected tree

The following links will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more.

• Find out about Tree Preservation Orders Opens new window
• Apply for permission to work on a protected tree Opens new window

More useful links

• Find out more from the Department for Communities and Local Government about trees and hedges Opens new window