What is a Tree Preservation Order (TPO)?

A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) is a legal protection placed on trees, woodlands, or groups of trees by Local Planning Authorities under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. TPOs protect trees of public amenity value by making it an offence to cut down, top, lop, uproot, wilfully damage or destroy a protected tree without consent.

Over 2 million individual trees and 40,000 hectares of woodland are protected by TPOs across England. Checking for TPOs is essential before purchasing property, planning development, or carrying out tree works.

How to Use the Interactive TPO Map

1
Open Maplify TPO Map
Visit Maplify's free interactive map viewer
2
Search Your Property Location
Enter postcode, address, or use the map search to locate your property
3
Enable TPO Layer
Open the Data Layers panel and toggle on "Tree Preservation Orders" under Planning category
4
View TPO Details
Click on protected areas/trees to view TPO reference numbers, protection type, and authority details

Understanding TPO Types and Protection Levels

Individual Trees (T1, T2 etc) — Single trees specifically identified and protected by reference number
Groups of Trees (G1, G2 etc) — Collections of trees protected together
Area TPOs (A1, A2 etc) — All trees within defined area protected, often for street scenes or estates
Woodland TPOs (W1, W2 etc) — Entire woodlands protected as ecological/amenity units

What You Can and Cannot Do with Protected Trees

Works Requiring TPO Consent:

Cutting down (felling) a protected tree — most commonly refused unless tree is dead/dangerous
Topping or lopping branches — requires detailed justification and arboricultural assessment
Root pruning or root protection zone work — consent needed for development near protected trees
Wilful damage or destruction — criminal offence with unlimited fines

TPO Exemptions (No Consent Required):

Pruning dead, dying or dangerous trees (5-day notice to council recommended with evidence)
Cutting back branches overhanging property from a neighbour's tree
Works required by statutory undertaker (utility companies) for infrastructure safety

Important: Carrying out tree works on a TPO tree without consent is a criminal offence. Maximum penalty: unlimited fine and/or 3 months imprisonment. Council can require replacement trees to be planted.

TPO Application Process

Commission Arboricultural Survey — engage qualified arborist to assess tree and justify works needed
Submit TPO Application — complete council's form with tree survey, justification, photographs
Consultation Period — council consults for 21 days, may inspect tree
Council Decision — must determine within 8 weeks of valid application
Appeal Rights — if refused, appeal to Planning Inspectorate within 28 days

TPO Considerations for Property Development

Root Protection Areas — BS5837 requires root protection zones extending to 12x tree diameter. Development within RPA requires detailed arboricultural method statement
Planning Applications — Protected trees are a material planning consideration. Developments harming TPO trees frequently refused
Design Around Trees — Developments should be designed to retain TPO trees. Veteran trees (400+ year old oaks) given highest protection in NPPF
Replacement Planting — If TPO tree removal granted, council typically conditions replacement planting at 2:1 or 3:1 ratio

Trees in Conservation Areas

Trees in Conservation Areas have automatic protection similar to TPOs. Works to trees over 75mm diameter require 6 weeks notice to council ("Section 211 Notice"). Council can make a TPO during the notice period if the tree merits long-term protection.

TPO Map Coverage and Data Sources

Coverage — All 338 Local Planning Authorities in England
Data Source — Planning Data Gov UK official TPO datasets
Update Frequency — Monthly updates from council records
TPO Types — Individual trees, groups, areas, and woodlands

Tree Preservation Orders Guide