Tree conservation and management

Information on Tree Preservation Orders and council owned property.

Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)

The law protects certain individual and groups of trees. Those trees that have Tree Preservations Orders (TPO's) or are within Conservation Areas are protected under a range of legislation that makes it an offence to carry out any work on those trees without permission from the Local Authority.

TPOs can be placed on any tree that has amenity value. Trees that are exempt from TPOs are those that are dead, dying, diseased or dangerous and fruit trees grown for the commercial production of fruit.

TPOs prohibit the cutting down, uprooting, topping, lopping, wilful damage or wilful destruction of trees without the Local Authorities consent. The maximum penalty for carrying out works to TPO trees without consent is £20,000.

For further information on TPOs and all enquiries concerning TPOs contact our Planning department.

The Council's policy is only to protect trees that are under a direct threat.

For a guide to the law and best practise on Tree Preservation Orders please see Communities and Local Government.

Trees on Hertsmere Borough Council owned property

Trees that grow on Hertsmere Borough Council owned property or on public open spaces are also protected as they are deemed as Council Property and anyone willfully damaging these can be prosecuted.

Hertsmere employs contractors to maintain trees growing in its woodlands, parks and open spaces, allotments and Allum Lane Cemetery. Enquires relating to the management of trees or planting of new trees in these areas should be directed to the appropriate Area Parks Officer.

Trees on Highway land

Trees on Highway land adjacent to roads or on roadside verges are managed by Hertfordshire County Council .

Trees belonging to Housing Associations

Enquiries to trees belonging to Housing Associations should be directed to the appropriate organisation.

High Hedges Act

The Communities and Local government website offers detailed information regarding high hedges  and the legislation used to mediate complaints.

Some advice for private tree owners

• Always contact the Local Authority to ensure that the trees are not protected by a Tree Protection Order, planning constraints or that the tree is within a Conservation area.
• Always employ a suitable trained professional Tree Surgeon, who is covered by Public Liability Insurance. And always ask for proof.
• Never employ house callers or leaflet droppers claiming to be professional tree surgeons.
• Reputable Tree Surgeons will always have some form of professional identification and qualification proof. Always ask to see it.
• Reputable Tree Surgeons can be found in the Yellow Pages.

For further advice please contact us.