Some trees are protected in law against felling or any other form of work upon them. These are normally trees that are rare, of historical importance, or particularly fine examples of the species. TPOs can also be found on unassuming-looking trees that have a history of vandalistic damage in order to help protect them in future.

It is important that any tree being considered for work where the existence of a TPO is suspcted is checked against the register of protected trees held by the local council.  It’s no joke to be caught foul of this one: Fines are regularly levied for breach of TPOs and these fines can be far greater than you might think.

That said - TPOs are not that actually all that common, and the chance of any tree on your property being protected without your knowledge is very small. There are two other situations that can exist whereby trees in an area are automatically protected: If they are sited within a conservation area, or in an SSSI (site of special scientific interest). There are not many of the latter around.

When required I do checks on protection status myself. Local authorities have developed their environmental planning departments so that it is usually quite an easy process. If you live in a conservation area - and there are quite a few of these around London now - and are employing me to perform tree works then it is usual that I make the application on your behalf as part of the remit, and for this there is no extra charge.