Advice for working on or near trees

If you want to apply for permission to work on a tree speak to a tree surgeon first.

There are specific rules for different types of tree and woodland work. We may reject your form if the information provided is not correct. We can't visit your site before you apply.

How to submit a tree works application

Once you know what work you want to do, submit your application to us via the Planning Portal.

You should submit your application form before you plan to begin work. Permission lasts 2 years, but processing your application can take up to 8 weeks.

We keep a public register of all tree work applications. Our planning search lets you find forms submitted online after October 2016.

For more information refer to our tree preservation order page.

Requirements for a valid tree works application

Your application must:

• use the form available on the Planning Portal website
• include all required information, as outlined in the guidance notes for the form
• have a clear plan that shows which trees are involved and what work you’re proposing
• include any necessary information that clearly describes the work you want to do
• explain why you're making the application.
• include evidence if there's structural damage for tree health and safety concerns
• it may be helpful to include a photograph of the tree. Make sure the tree is in the centre of the photo. Include the whole tree from ground level to just above the top
• provide a reason for the tree work
• complete each section of the application
• if your application involves multiple trees, give specific details for each tree on the location plan
• use pruning terms carefully as they have particular meanings
• quantify every type of work you propose.

It's important to submit your application correctly. If you have any questions, seek advice from a qualified tree surgeon.

Our officers will review the proposed works and may visit the site to inspect the trees in question.

We can only fast-track applications for genuine emergency tree works.

We set rules to make sure that tree work or planting follows good tree care practices:

• planting new trees to replace the ones removed
• controlling how the work is done
• allowing for the work to be done more than once
• setting a time limit for how long the permission lasts for.

Cutting back trees without permission

A person who carries out, commissions, or allows tree works or damages to a TPO tree without permission has committed a criminal offence. This offence can lead to fines of up to £20,000. In some cases, the Crown Court may impose a bigger fine.

Building near trees

We must think about tree protection and planting when we approve building plans. This includes all trees, whether protected by special orders or not.

Check the Planning portal if you need planning permission from us for your building project. For more advice and guidance contact the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning team.

If you think a building project is not following its approved plans or has not got permission for tree work, report it to the Planning Enforcement team.

If you see a protected animal or its habitat being harmed, contact Cambridgeshire Police.

Our Housing Department owns and manages a very small amount of land. If you are confident the tree is on our land you can raise a grounds maintenance issue below.

Report a grounds maintenance issue

Tree emergencies

Contact a qualified tree surgeon or arborist if you face a tree emergency.

The tree surgeon will see if there is an immediate risk of serious harm and act if they find evidence of an urgent problem. The tree surgeon will then ask us to process the notification for the tree works within 5 days.

Use the Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor Directory to find a tree surgeon. Qualified trees surgeons should have public and employer liability insurance and a waste disposal license.

Woodland permission

If you need to apply for permission to manage trees or woodlands speak to a specialist woodland consultant first. We can't visit your site before you apply. The consultant can see whether you need a Forestry Commission felling license instead of a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) application.

Find a woodland consultant through the Institute of Chartered Foresters.