Tree Preservation Order Checker
Search by postcode to see whether Tree Preservation Order records may be near a property. This checker is for anyone searching the full phrase rather than the acronym — it does the same job: a quick look at available public data, with a clear reminder to confirm with your Local Planning Authority before tree work.
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 is a Tree Preservation Order?
A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) is a written order made by a Local Planning Authority in England and Wales. It protects specific trees, groups of trees or woodlands that the council considers important for the amenity of an area — their contribution to the look and character of the place.
An order can cover a single tree, several individual trees, an area of trees, or a whole woodland. The protection attaches to the tree, not the owner, so it stays in place when a property changes hands.
Why Tree Preservation Orders matter
If a tree is covered by a TPO, you generally need the council's written consent before you do almost any significant work to it — cutting it down, topping, lopping, uprooting, pruning or pollarding. Doing that work without consent can be a criminal offence, with fines that scale with the value of the tree and the harm done.
The rules exist to stop valued trees being lost or badly damaged without proper consideration. They are not meant to stop sensible management — but that management has to go through the council first.
How to check before tree work
Start with a postcode search above to see whether any TPO records appear in the available public data near the property. Treat that as a first indication, then verify it properly:
- 1Look at your council's own TPO map or register, where one is published online.
- 2Contact the council's tree officer with the specific address.
- 3Ask whether the property is also in a conservation area.
- 4Get the answer in writing before you book any work.
What permission may be needed
If a tree is protected, you would normally apply to the Local Planning Authority for consent to carry out the proposed works. The application describes what you want to do and why, and the council decides whether to grant consent, grant it with conditions, or refuse.
There are limited exceptions — for example, work that is urgently necessary to remove an immediate risk of serious harm — but these are narrow, and you are usually still expected to give the council notice. When in doubt, ask before acting.
Why council data can vary
There is no single, complete national register of every Tree Preservation Order. Each Local Planning Authority maintains its own records, and the amount published online — and the format — differs widely. Some councils have detailed interactive maps; others hold records only in their offices.
That is why this checker is guidance only. A result here reflects the available public datasets, which may not include every order. The authoritative answer always comes from the relevant council.
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 do I check if a tree has a TPO?
Search the available public data by postcode here for a first indication, then confirm with the Local Planning Authority — check the council's published TPO map or register and ask the tree officer about the specific address before any work.
Does a TPO apply to trees in my own garden?
Yes. A TPO protects the tree regardless of who owns the land, so it can apply to a tree in your own garden. You would still need the council's consent before carrying out protected works.
Is there a national TPO register?
No single complete national register exists. Each Local Planning Authority keeps its own records, and what is published online varies. That is why a check here is guidance only and should be confirmed with the relevant council.
What counts as work that needs consent?
Cutting down, topping, lopping, uprooting, wilfully damaging or destroying a protected tree generally needs consent — and that includes pruning and pollarding. Confirm what applies to your tree with your Local Planning Authority.
