Tree Preservation Orders

Provided the trees are in reasonable health and structural condition, any type of tree can be protected including any:

The (land) owner of a protected tree is responsible for its maintenance, condition and any damage it causes.

Our role is to consider any tree work applications made to it.

If you want to apply to undertake some tree work, please read our page on Tree Preservation Order (TPOs) Tree Work Applications.

We keep a public register of all tree work applications. All notices submitted after October 2016 are available online on our planning search facility. 

If you are struggling to find an application please follow this guide [PDF, 0.4MB].

Anyone who undertakes, commissions or permits tree works or damages a TPO’d tree without permission is guilty of a criminal offence. This can lead to prosecution with fines of up to £20,000. In serious cases an unlimited fine can be imposed.

Anyone can report unauthorised tree work or damage to protected trees via our Planning Enforcement page. Please check the public records first for tree works applications or notifications or building applications. 

If you are thinking about buying a house where there is a TPO in place, think about whether whether you want to live with the tree at its current and future size. If you are not sure how tall or broad the tree will get when fully mature, or other aspects of living with a TPO tree you might want to ask a reputable tree surgeon. 

We are unable to review TPO’s by request. We can provide a copy of the Order to your solicitor on request, but the public register is available online. You are welcome to submit a tree works application before you purchase but these can take up to eight weeks to determine and cannot be expedited.

Currently we are unable to revoke or modify Orders or parts of Orders on request. We periodically review existing Orders and consider if they are still relevant, if they need updating and reserve them as necessary.

If you think you have an emergency the best thing to do is to contact a tree surgeon or arborist.

Find the right tree surgeon for you through the Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor Directory. You should choose your contractor carefully, please do not use tradespeople who knock on your door without being invited. Contractors have adequate public and employer’s liability insurance and a licence to carry waste.

Please note that when we signpost or refer to external organisations for services this is not an endorsement or a recommendation of an external organisation or private individual by South Cambridgeshire Council. We encourage residents to carry out their own research to compare different service providers to best meet their needs. 

The tree surgeon will decide if there is an immediate risk of serious harm. If there is enough evidence there is an immediate problem, they can request we process the tree works application within 5 days. Immediate risk of serious harm and 5 days doesn’t seem right

Please see our requesting a new Tree Preservation Order (TPO) page for request details.

Hedgerows are not eligible for a TPO. Trees within a hedgerow can be protected though. Please carefully check the Order associated with a hedgerow.

No, but some hedgerows are protected under The Hedgerow Regulations 1997. See our hedgerows and hedges webpage for more information.

The most detailed guide to Tree Preservation Orders and trees in conservation areas can be found on the government website. 

Yes! There are organisations looking for and recording important trees. You can also search for trees in your area.

• The Ancient Tree Forum  
• The Tree Register
• The Great British Elm Search