Trees in conservation areas

A tree with a trunk diameter greater than 75mm at 1.5m above ground level is automatically protected under Section 211 of the town and Country Planning Act 1990 if it grows within a conservation area.

With a few exceptions, it is an offence to prune or fell conservation area protected trees, without first giving us six weeks' written notice. Notification forms and information about conservation areas and tree works can be found below:

Tree Works Application Form

For guidance on submitting your tree works application, download the document below.

Tree Works Application Guidance

There are no fees for Tree Preservation Order applications or Conservation notifications to carry out works to protected trees.

As with Tree Preservation Orders, pruning or cutting down protected trees growing in a conservation area, without giving us prior notification can result in prosecution and a fine for each offence. There may also be a requirement to replace felled trees.

Before undertaking any works to trees in a conservation area, you should first check with to see if the tree is protected by viewing our interactive tree map.