Trees, forests and woodlands

The Forestry Commission (opens new window) is the government department responsible for forestry policy throughout Great Britain. We are consulted by the Forestry Commission on all Woodland Grant Scheme and Felling Licence applications in Wiltshire, and on new woodland planting proposals. We are also consulted, along with a wide range of stakeholders, to review forest design plans.

Tree Protection

What protection exists for trees?

There are several different types of tree protection:
Tree Preservation Orders can be placed on trees by the local authority. Tree Preservation Orders, (known as TPOs), can be placed on either individual trees, or on groups, areas or even entire woodlands. TPOs afford the trees a high level of protection because the local authority must give consent on any proposals to fell or undertake any works to them.

Trees within conservation areas are protected as long as they meet the minimum size requirements. They must have a trunk diameter of 7.5cm measured at 1.5 metres above ground level. If the trees in question measure this size or greater then they are protected regardless of their species.

Find more information on Trees and hedges

Ancient and Veteran Trees

There are more Ancient trees in the UK than many other European countries and Wiltshire is home to a large number of ancient and veteran trees. Ancient trees are as much a part of our heritage as the historic buildings they often pre-date. Ancient trees are among the oldest organisms on the planet making them extremely valuable for the wildlife they support. Yet most are not protected.

Wiltshire has a large ancient tree resource but information on ancient trees in Wiltshire is limited. If you would like further information on ancient or veteran trees or would like to find or visit an ancient or veteran tree in Wiltshire search on the Woodland Trust: Ancient Tree Inventory (opens new window).

The Tree Warden Scheme is a national initiative involving local people in conserving and enhancing their local trees and woods. Please contact the Tree Council (opens new window) who can give details of any local schemes in Wiltshire.

The Great Western Community Forest (opens new window) is one of England's 12 community forests. The forest covers an area of 168 square miles, stretching from Royal Wootton Bassett to Faringdon, and the North Wessex Downs to the Thames. The Great Western Community Forest is creating and maintaining a high quality environment for local people by diversifying land-use, revitalising derelict landscapes, enhancing biodiversity and providing new opportunities for leisure, recreation, cultural activity, education, healthy living and social and economic development.

The New Forest National Park management plan was produced jointly by all the main organisations with interests and responsibilities in the national park.
The final plan was the result of comprehensive public consultation. More details are included in the consultation statement, find out more about the New Forest National Park: Conservation area management plans (opens new window).

We are responsible for trees that we own or for trees that grow on land managed by us. If you have an issue with trees on council land, or adjacent to a highway, report it to the Trees and Woodland Officers.
Our tree stock is managed in line with our tree management policy; Wiltshire Council's tree management policy sets out that work will only be undertaken on trees when the risk that a tree poses is unacceptable for example; the tree is found to be dangerous or is the cause of damage. In this way the council ensures that the benefits that trees bring is maintained wherever possible and that the budgets allocated to the management of council owned and maintained tree stock is spent in a reasonable, fair and transparent way.

Find further information on our  Tree Management Policies (PDF) [357KB] (opens new window) .

The Woodland Trust illustrate this disease and its symptoms on their Woodland Trust: Ash dieback (opens new window) webpage.

The situation in England including legal responsibilities of landowners is detailed on the DeFRA website (opens new window).

Wiltshire Council is currently engaged in a programme of work to identify and remove diseased trees on council land. This is being done on risk-based assessment of tree location and severity of the disease. Where there are adjacent affected trees on private land, we will make every effort to work with the landowner to save costs, noting that ultimately it is the landowner's responsibility to carry out the work.

It is our intention to replace any trees that need to be removed with suitable native species.

To report a tree issue please use our online MyWilts reporting system (opens new window).