Protected trees – tree preservation orders and trees in conservation areas
Trees can be protected by either a tree preservation order (TPO) or by being located within a conservation area.
Tree preservation orders
A TPO is an order made by us to protect trees of high amenity value, where their loss would have a significant impact.
The owner of a protected tree is responsible for their tree. However, anyone wishing to carry out work to a protected tree must first apply for and obtain consent from us. If a protected tree is cut down, lopped, topped, uprooted, wilfully damaged or destroyed (or so treated in a manner likely to destroy it) in contravention of a TPO, the responsible person(s) could be prosecuted and upon conviction liable to pay a substantial fine.
How do I find out if my tree is protected?
Details of which trees are protected under a TPO for any given address or location can be obtained upon request from the Tree Team. Electronic copies of a TPO can be purchased from us for a fee. Contact us at: trees@shropshire.gov.uk or by telephone: 01743 25 3333.
How do I request the creation of a new TPO?
There's no application form to request the creation of a TPO. We ask that you email us with your reasons, with specific regard to whether the tree is under imminent threat (such as a proposed development or bad management practices), and whether it has significant public amenity. Please include location details and photographs.
Conservation areas
The importance of trees is recognised in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, which makes special provision for trees in conservation areas which aren't already protected by a tree preservation order.
Under Section 211 of the act, anyone proposing to cut down or carry out work to a tree within a conservation area is required to give us six weeks’ prior notice. Notice is required for works to trees that have a trunk diameter of more than 75mm when measured at 1.5m above ground level (or more than 100mm if reducing the number of trees within a group to benefit the growth of other trees).
How do I know if my tree is within a conservation area?
Plans and an interactive map of conservation areas are available from our website.