A Tree Preservation Order is used to protect trees that are considered to benefit the local area. The Local Planning Authority normally is the body that manage the TPO. A Tree Preservation Order can be applied to a single tree or all trees within a stipulated area of woodland. TPO’s come into their own when the tree or trees are under threat.
Once a TPO has been established it is a criminal offence to ‘cut down, top, lop, uproot, wilfully damage or wilfully destroy a tree protected by that order, or to cause or permit such actions, without the authority’s permission. Anyone found guilty of such an offence is liable. In serious cases the case may be dealt with in the Crown Court where an unlimited fine can be imposed.’ For more information there is a useful leaflet available from the www.gov.uk website ‘Protected trees: A guide to tree preservation procedures’. To book a tree surgeon in Richmond, Wimbledon or Kingston call us today.
