Protected Tree Checker
Wondering whether a tree is protected? You do not need to know the jargon. Enter a postcode and we will check available public data for Tree Preservation Order records nearby — then point you to the right place to confirm before you prune, pollard or fell.
SL8 5PJ
2 TPO zones nearby- Closest TPO zone
- within 100 m
- Conservation area
- In report
- Listed buildings
- In report
How it works
How to check if a tree has a TPO.
01Search the postcode
We find the location and plot every published TPO zone nearby on a map.
02Read the distance
Zones are shown by distance, not yes or no. Anything within 100 m deserves a closer look.
03Confirm with the council
Your Local Planning Authority has the final word. Get it in writing before work starts.
Reading a result
A blank result isn’t a clear one.
A Tree Preservation Order protects a named tree, group or woodland, and you need written consent before pruning, felling, topping, lopping or uprooting it. Every published TPO zone near your postcode is drawn on the map with its distance from the property.
Trees in a conservation area can be protected even where no TPO is shown, and council coverage of the national dataset is uneven — so your Local Planning Authority must confirm the status of any tree before work begins.
What protected trees are
"Protected tree" is the everyday way of describing a tree the law restricts you from cutting or damaging without permission. In England and Wales there are two main ways a tree becomes protected: a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), or being inside a designated conservation area.
You do not have to own a special property for this to apply. Ordinary garden trees, street trees and trees on building plots can all be protected. The protection is about the tree's value to the area, not the size of the property.
TPOs and conservation areas
A Tree Preservation Order names specific trees, groups or woodlands and requires the council's consent before most work. A conservation area is a broader designation covering a neighbourhood of special architectural or historic interest — and most trees within it are protected too, usually requiring you to give the council written notice before working on them.
The practical upshot: a tree can be protected even if it has no TPO of its own. Checking for one without the other can give you false comfort.
Why checking first matters
Working on a protected tree without the right consent can be a criminal offence, and the person who carries out or arranges the work is the one who carries the risk. A reputable tree surgeon will expect you to have checked — and many will check themselves before quoting.
A few minutes spent checking now can save a great deal of cost, delay and worry later. It also protects a tree that may be valued by neighbours and the wider community.
What to do if a tree may be protected
If the checker suggests records may be nearby, or you simply are not sure, take these steps before any work:
- 1Confirm with the Local Planning Authority for the address — usually the district, borough or city council.
- 2Ask specifically about both TPOs and conservation area status.
- 3Request written confirmation of what applies.
- 4If the picture is unclear, request a manual protected-tree check.
- 5Only proceed once you know what consent, if any, is needed.
Property report
Need a record you can hand over?
Run a free check, then download a dated PDF report for the address — nearby TPOs plus conservation areas, Article 4 directions and listed buildings, ready to share with a tree surgeon, solicitor or the council.
Property report
Instant PDF£12.99one-off · no account
- Nearby Tree Preservation Orders
- Conservation areas & Article 4 directions
- Listed buildings within 150 m
- Dated PDF, ready to share
Common questions
Before you pick up the saw.
How can I tell if a tree is protected?
Check available public data by postcode here for an indication, then confirm with the Local Planning Authority. Ask whether the tree has a Tree Preservation Order and whether the property is in a conservation area — both can protect a tree.
Are all trees in my garden protected?
No. Most trees are not protected, but some are — through a Tree Preservation Order or a conservation area designation. Because you cannot tell by looking, it is worth checking and confirming with your council before significant work.
Does a dead tree stay protected?
Special rules can apply to dead, dying or dangerous trees, but the exceptions are narrow and you are often still expected to notify the council first. Do not assume — confirm the position with your Local Planning Authority before acting.
Who decides if I can work on a protected tree?
The Local Planning Authority for the area decides, normally through its tree officer. You apply for consent describing the proposed works, and the council grants, conditions or refuses it.
