Any unauthorised works to protected trees carry heavy penalties the following must be noted:
Tree Preservation Orders
A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) is an order made by the local planning authority in respect of trees and woodlands. The principal order of a TPO is to prohibit the:
- Cutting down
- Uprooting
- Topping
- Lopping
- Wilful damage, or
- Wilful destruction
of trees without the local planning authorities consent. The cutting of roots is also, although not expressly covered above, is potentially damaging and so, in the Secretary of States view, requires the local planning authorities consent.