Tree preservation orders

The council protects trees that are considered to be an important feature of the local environment by designating them with a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). This means that any pruning or other work done to the tree must be agreed by the Council's Development Management department before any work is carried out. Here are some of the questions we are commonly asked about TPOs.

What is a tree preservation order?

A TPO is an order made by the Development Management department, giving legal protection to either single trees, groups of trees or woodland areas. By law, trees with a TPO cannot be cut down, uprooted, lopped or topped, and no part of the tree, including it's roots can be wilfully damaged or destroyed without first gaining permission from the Development Management team. 

Tree types protected by a TPO

Anything that would normally be called a tree, including fruit trees, may be covered by a TPO. There is no minimum size but bushes and shrubs cannot be covered by a TPO.

Trees are protected because they contribute to the public's enjoyment of the local environment. This may be because the tree is particularly beautiful or is of a rare species. It may simply be because there are very few trees in the area or because it serves to screen an eyesore.

Works on protected trees

Please complete the application for tree works form for permission to carry out any works on a protected tree.

We will write to you to tell you our decision within eight weeks. If the tree is within a conservation area you will hear from us within six weeks.

You can appeal against our decision. We will enclose information about how to do this when we send you our decision.

Permission for emergency work

If a protected tree is dead, dying or causing a danger then the normal process is waived, but you must give the council five days notice of your intention to carry out the work.

If the tree is causing an immediate danger, for example, it is about to fall and could cause damage or injury, then you can carry out work without giving notice. However, we strongly advise you to collect evidence as the council will require you to provide proof at a later date that the tree was either dead, dying or causing a danger. The proof should include either photographs, a tree surgeons report and/or independent witness statements.

How do I get a tree protected?

Anyone who wants the council to give a TPO should contact the Development Management department and state the reasons why it is important to protect a particular tree. We will consider requests against three main criteria:

• The tree's particular importance in terms of size, form, rarity, screening value or contribution to the character or appearance of a conservation area.
• The significance of the tree(s) in their local surrounding and wider impact on the environment.
• We can also give a TPO as a precautionary measure if there is reason to believe the tree could be at risk in the future.

We do not normally consider it necessary to make TPO's for tress which are under a recognised tree management programme, such as trees managed by the tree section or woodland managed by other organisations on our behalf (e.g. Sydenham Hill Woods).

You can comment on an application. The planning department usually consults with adjacent owners or occupiers on applications and gives them 28 days to respond.

What happens if a tree is damaged or destroyed without permission?

It is an offence to work on a protected tree in Southwark without permission from Southwark's planning department. If a protected tree is damaged or destroyed without permission, the owner or person carrying out the work may be prosecuted and fined up to £20,000 and a replacement tree will also have to be planted.

If, without putting yourself at risk, you are able to obtain information such as photographs or details of the contractor, this will help the council in any enforcement action.