www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Trees
Tree Preservation Orders
Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) are legal documents that give protection to specified trees, groups of trees or woodlands of public amenity value. TPOs are made by local authorities, which in Wiltshire is the responsibility of the District Councils and Swindon Borough Council Unitary Authority, with councils able to make these orders provided: “that it is expedient in the interests of amenity to make provision for the preservation of trees or woodlands in their area”. New TPOs can be served as a result of development or on receiving requests from members of the public.
Causing damage to or deliberately cutting down a tree subject to a TPO is a criminal offence for which a person could be fined up to £20,000 if convicted in a magistrate’s court. The planting of replacement trees may also be required.
If you require further information on TPOs or need to know whether a particular tree in Wiltshire is covered by a TPO, please contact your local District or Borough Council. Contact details for District and Borough Councils can be found under ‘Useful Links’ below. If you are unsure whether you live within a Conservation Area, please check with your respective District or Borough Council.
Trees within Conservation Areas
There are special rules for trees in Conservation Areas. If you wish to fell, lop or top or uproot trees within a conservation area, you must give the relevant District or Borough Council six weeks notice in writing. It is an offence to carry out the work within that period without the consent of the Council. Contact details for District and Borough Councils can be found under ‘Useful Links’ below.
Ancient Trees
Ancient (veteran) trees are as much a part of our heritage as the historic buildings they pre-date and in whose grounds they often reside. They are also extremely valuable for the wildlife they support. The invertebrate and epiphytic communities which are associated with trees of great age are uniquely species-rich and the trees usually provide vital resting, breeding and feeding sites for a range of other important species including European protected bat species.
Deciding on a definition of what is an ancient (veteran) tree is difficult. The term ancient or veteran tree can mean different things to different people. Perhaps the best interpretation is that given by Helen Read in her book ‘Veteran Trees – a guide to good management’ (English Nature – 2000).
- Trees of interest biologically, aesthetically or culturally because of their age.
- Tree in the ancient stage of their life.
- Trees that are old relative to others of the same species.
Wiltshire has a significant Ancient tree resource but information on ancient trees in Wiltshire is limited. There is a need for comprehensive mapping of ancient trees in Wiltshire together with an assessment of their condition and actions for their long-term management.
Contact Details
By Post
Countryside Manager
Environmental Services
Wiltshire County Council
County Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JD
By Email
By Telephone
01225 713241
By Fax
01225 713269
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
