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Trees in conservation areas

We control the work on trees in Conservation Areas.

In a Conservation Area it is an offence to lop, top, wilfully damage fell or up-root trees with a trunk diameter of 7.5cm or greater without giving the us "six weeks' notice."

For these purposes a tree's diameter should be measured at 1.5m above ground level.

If a tree in a Conservation Area is damaged or destroyed without giving notice, the owner or person carrying out the work may be prosecuted and fined up to £20,000 by magistrates or more if the case goes to Crown Court.

If you want to carry out work on trees within a conservation area you must send us details of the work proposed six weeks before you aim to start.

To notify us of your intention to carry out any work download and fill in our Conservation Area work application form.

There are certain exceptions when six-weeks notice is not required such as where a tree is dead or in a dangerous condition, but you should always seek our advice to ensure your proposed works are acceptable.

If we consider the work to be inappropriate we may make a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) to specifically protect the tree or trees.

Trees with a diameter under 7.5cm can be felled without notice and trees with a diameter of under 10cm can be felled only if the work is to thin out the number of trees to help the growth of others.

To find out if your tree is within a conservation area or for further information contact our Tree Officer or Assistant Tree Officer.