Trees and the council
Much of Southwest London is covered by Tree Preservation Orders and conservation areas. I can check whether your tree is protected and handle the application.
Two kinds of protection
| Tree Preservation Order (TPO) | Conservation area | |
|---|---|---|
| What it means | A legal order that protects specific trees, made by the council. | Trees with a trunk wider than 75mm, measured 1.5m above the ground, are protected. |
| What's needed | An application to the council for consent before any work. | Six weeks' written notice to the council before any work. |
| How long | Usually decided within 8 weeks of a valid application. | The council has six weeks to respond. If it doesn't make a TPO, the work can go ahead. |
Work on a protected tree without the right permission is a criminal offence, and fines can be unlimited. Dead or dangerous trees can often be dealt with on shorter notice, and I'll tell you which applies.
How I help
- Check. I find out whether your tree is protected by a TPO, a conservation area, or both.
- Apply. I write up the work needed and send the application or notice to the council for you.
- Answer questions. If the council's tree officer has queries, I deal with them.
- Do the work. Once consent is in place, I carry out the work exactly as agreed.
Handling the application is an extra cost, shown separately in your quote. It takes real time to assess the tree, write up the work, submit it and answer the council's questions.