TPO Applications
Got a tree with a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) on it? Don't worry — it doesn't mean you can't touch it. It just means you need permission from the council before any work is carried out.
At Conifers From Hell, we handle the entire TPO application process for you. We'll assess the tree, prepare the application, submit it to the council, and carry out the work once it's approved. You don't have to deal with any of the paperwork.
What is a TPO?
A Tree Preservation Order is a legal protection placed on a tree or group of trees by the local council. It makes it an offence to cut down, top, lop, uproot, or damage the tree without first getting consent from the local planning authority. TPOs are usually placed on trees that are considered important to the local area because of their size, species, or visual impact.
Carrying out work on a protected tree without permission can result in fines of up to £20,000 in a magistrates' court, or an unlimited fine in a crown court. So it's important to get it right.
We assess the tree — We'll visit your property, inspect the tree, and advise you on what work is needed and what's likely to be approved.
We prepare the application — We write up the full application including the species, the reason for the work, and exactly what's proposed. We know what councils want to see.
We submit it for you — We handle the submission to Swansea Council or Neath Port Talbot Council on your behalf.
We carry out the work — Once approved, we complete the tree work to the agreed specification. All fully insured and all waste removed.
How we help with TPO applications
What work can be done on a TPO tree?
With the right application approved, you can carry out a range of work on a protected tree including:
Crown reduction
Crown thinning
Crown lifting
Deadwooding
Pruning and reshaping
Full removal (where justified)
The key is providing the council with a clear reason for the work and a detailed description of what's proposed. That's where we come in.
Do I have a TPO on my tree?
If you're not sure whether a tree on your property has a TPO, we can help you find out. Give us a call and we'll check with the local council for you. You can also check yourself by contacting Swansea Council's planning department or searching their online planning records.
Trees in Conservation Areas are also protected — if you live in a Conservation Area, you need to give the council six weeks' notice before carrying out any work on a tree, even if it doesn't have a TPO.
Areas we cover for TPO applications
We handle TPO applications and carry out approved tree work across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, and the surrounding areas including Birchgrove, Morriston, Sketty, Mumbles, Killay, Uplands, Clydach, Gorseinon, Neath, Port Talbot, Briton Ferry, Skewen, Pontardawe, and the Swansea Valley.