Tree management and preservation

Tree management

Local authorities are responsible for maintaining trees in public spaces. This can include planting trees and pruning trees. If a tree in your area appears overgrown or requires maintenance, contact the environment section of your local authority. 

In some cases, a tree may need to be cut down. Reasons for this can include:

• The tree has become dangerous (for example, it is causing an obstruction or interfering with telephone or electrical wires)
• The tree has a disease or is decaying 
• Cutting down the tree will contribute towards the overall health of the forest or surrounding environment
• Normal maintenance of agricultural land (for trees that are under 5 years of age and came about through natural regeneration)
• Felling the tree is required for essential infrastructure projects

Local authorities may remove trees in public spaces where it is considered necessary to do so. 

The local authority may carry out a Tree Management Strategy Consultation to give members of the public the opportunity to share their views on the Tree Management Strategy. 

Tree Preservation Orders (TPO)

A tree preservation order prevents anyone from cutting down a particular tree. Tree preservation orders can be issued where a tree is considered beneficial to the amenity or environment of the local area. 

If a tree preservation order is issued, the tree cannot be cut down, topped, lopped, or in any way destroyed without consent from the local authority that issued the preservation order.

Tree preservation orders do not apply to trees that are dead, dying, dangerous, or have been ordered to be cut down by statutory notice.

If you believe a tree needs to be cut down but it is under a TPO, you can contact the environment section of the local authority to raise your concern about the tree. If you believe someone else has cut down a tree that was under a TPO, you can report this to the environment section of the local authority.

Local authorities maintain a register of all trees under a TPO. To view the Tree Preservation Order Register, contact the environment section of your local authority.