Protected Trees
- Tree Preservation Orders
- Conservation Areas
- Planning Conditions
- Consultations and Advice
- Employing an Arborist (Tree Surgeon)
Trees may be protected under the Town & Country Planning Act by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). A TPO makes it an offence to wilfully damage or destroy a protected tree. Anyone wishing to prune any living part of the tree or to cut the tree down requires the planning authority’s written permission. A TPO can protect a single tree, a group of trees, woodland or a defined area.
TPOs can be made by the Council at any time therefore it is always best to check a trees current status before undertaking any work.
A new TPO takes provisional effect for a period of six months. During the first 28 days of this period any interested party can comment on the new order and all valid written submissions received during this period will be considered before confirming the TPO.
Applications to work on protected trees must be made in writing. The team then has 8 weeks from the date of receipt to process and respond to the request. Please use the application form provided and you will receive an acknowledgment. Although the Council has a maximum of 8 weeks to process your enquiry the normal timescale is often shorter than that.
There are currently a number of conservation areas in Bracknell and if your property is within one of these then you are required to give the Council written notice of your intention to prune or remove any trees on your property or that of your neighbours.
All trees within these conservation areas (above a certain size) are automatically protected. If any stem on the tree is larger than 7.5 centimetres diameter when measured at 1.5 metres above ground level – then it is automatically protected and an application form must be submitted.
Once you have notified the Council, it has 6 weeks in which to respond; either by not objecting to your proposal or by making a TPO. Please use the application form provided and you will receive an acknowledgment. Although the Council has a maximum of 6 weeks to process your enquiry the normal timescale is often shorter than that.
Sometimes the planning authority will attach certain requirements to a planning permission and these are referred to as planning conditions. These conditions might relate to the trees or other significant vegetation on your property and could require you to maintain them, or even to replace them in the event they die or have been removed. Before you do any work to them, you may require the Council's consent. To find out if there are any planning conditions affecting your property, visit the Planning Application section of this website and contact the Planning Department in writing at:
Planning Services
Environment, Culture and Communities
Time Square
Market Street
Bracknell
Berkshire
RG12 1JD
The Tree Service is unable to provide a consultation service and cannot give detailed, private tree advice unless the tree in question is within our business remit; for example it may be subject to any of the forms of protection or it may constitute a legal hazard to the public.
For basic tree advice on maintenance and quotations for work, we recommend you contact an Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor. For a more extensive list of contractors and a list of consultants who can assist you with more complex tree matters and involved investigations; visit the Arboricultural Association website.
Other organisations and websites can provide you with information and advice on trees and their management. These organisations are listed to the right.
Employing an Arborist (Tree Surgeon)
Bracknell Forest Tree Service recommends contractors that are members of the Arboricultural Association (AA) and have undergone testing and accreditation to meet industry standards. The Arboricultural Association (Tel. 01794 368717) is a national charitable organisation working towards raising standards of tree-care.
The Arboricultural Association ‘Approved Contractor’ scheme examines and accredits companies for, amongst other aspects; safe working practices and technical competence to British Standard 3998 ‘Recommendations for Tree Work’.
You can also use the Yellow Pages and Thompson Directory to find companies; however, be aware of these basic points:
- Bona-fide tree-surgeons do not knock on doors to get business, and certainly not in the evening or at weekends!
- If they do leave a business card it should have a name (personal or company), a full address and telephone number - not just a mobile phone number.
- Always get at least two quotes.
- Always be at home when the work is being done.
- Do not part with any money until you judge the work to be completed; ask for an invoice/receipt and pay by cheque.
In selecting your contractor ask them the following:
- Are they insured?
Request to see evidence of current insurance such as Public Liability & Employers Liability - What Standards do they work to?
Should be ‘British Standard 3998’ - What qualifications do they or their staff have?
Compulsory and minimum certification for ‘NPTC – Chainsaw use’ - Will they provide a written specification of work with a quotation?
If ‘No’, reject this contractor. - Are they a member of a professional organisation?
Membership does not guarantee work standards but shows a degree of commitment. - Will they provide you with an address/phone number of a previous client who can vouch for their work?
If yes, make that call and view the work.
Before deciding, make sure the quote contains:
- References to BS 3998: ‘Recommendations for Tree Work’.
- Full and clear details (in language you understand) of the work to be undertaken.
- An explanation of who disposes of the debris and how?
- Information on who will be responsible for obtaining permission if the trees are protected?
- A statement of what steps will be taken to protect you and your property during the works?
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