Trees, Woodlands and Hedges

Tree Officers in the Conservation section of Planning Services are responsible for all aspects of tree preservation including; making and enforcing Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs); dealing with applications to carry out work to TPO trees; dealing with notices of tree work in Conservation Areas; dealing with notices of work to protected hedgerows; providing tree and landscaping advice in relation to new development.

If you require more information related to trees, woodland and hedges, please contact the Conservation team.

Tree Preservation Orders

Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) protect trees where appropriate in the interests of amenity. When making new TPOs the Council must satisfy itself that a reasonable degree of public benefit will accrue. Trees that are suitable for protection in this way are usually those that are visible from a publicly accessible place, the removal of which would cause significant harm to the environment. Before making an order the Council needs to be sure that the trees are at risk and that it is expedient to make an order. TPOs can protect individual trees, groups of trees, areas of trees or woodlands.

The City Council has in excess of 250 TPOs covering its administrative area.  Some of these TPOs were designated in the 1960s and no longer properly serve to safeguard the amenity value of the protected trees.  The council has embarked on a programme to review its stock of protected trees. This involves resurveying trees included in TPOs made before 1974 and 'area' TPOs, making and serving new TPOs and revoking old TPOs and area TPOs.

Locations of Trees Protected by a TPO

You can see if a tree close to you is protected by a TPO by using our LocalView address search, or view all TPOs on the map.

Council Owned Trees

The management of the Council's tree stock is usually undertaken by Parks Services.

Dangerous Trees

If you are concerned that a tree in the city has become dangerous and might cause injury or damage to a person or property please contact the Parks Service using the details on the right of this page.

Page last reviewed 7 Apr 2008