Your Essential Guide
If you have a tree on your property, you can do what you like with it, right? Wrong! Trees can sometimes be protected by legislation, and it is important to know if any apply to yours before you cut it down. Here is everything you need to know, along with how working with one of the best Chigwell tree surgeons can help.
Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)
Tree Preservation Orders are put in place to protect specific trees, groups of trees or woodlands, and this is done by local authorities. Anything from mature trees lining a residential street to a historic tree in a public area can be covered by a TPO. if it brings value to its surroundings, it’s a good candidate for one.
So, what do you need to know? Well, if a tree is protected by a TPO, you cannot carry out any work on it without prior permission from the council. This obviously includes felling. Breaching a TPO can lead to fines of up to £20,000 per tree, although in the most serious cases this fine can be unlimited.
Conservation Areas
Trees in conservation areas are also protected, even if they are not individually covered by a TPO. If your tree is located in a conservation area, you must give your local council six weeks’ notice before carrying out work. If the council objects to your plans, then they may place a TPO on the tree to protect it while it is decided what happens next.
Do You Always Need Permission?
If the tree you want to fell is not covered by a TPO or located in a conservation area, then you can proceed without needing to seek permission. However, if the tree is protected, the rules are stricter. Even if a tree is dead, dying, or dangerous, a 5-day dead and dangerous application must still be submitted to the local authority before any work takes place. An expert tree company like Essex Tree Brothers, will take care of this entire process for you – including submitting the necessary application – so you don’t have to worry about falling foul of local regulations.
Why Work with a Trusted Tree Surgeon?
Working with a trusted local tree surgeon is vital in most cases, but when it comes to felling a tree, their expertise becomes even more valuable. Their knowledge of UK tree laws means that they will be able to advise you on the most appropriate next steps, and they will be able to help you understand any criteria laid out by your local council. When it comes to the tree felling itself, you can also count on them to get the job done safely and efficiently.
What to Do Next
If you have a tree on your property and you aren’t sure if it is protected or not, the best thing you can do is pick up the phone and get in touch with an experienced, fully qualified local tree surgeon today. So, what are you waiting for?
