Many trees in the borough are protected, meaning work cannot be done to them without our permission. This includes trees:
with a Tree Preservation Order
in a conservation area (with a diameter of 7.5cm or more at a point 1.5m above the ground)
Tree Preservation Orders
Tree Preservation Orders give legal protection to trees or woodland. Their purpose is to protect private trees for the public to enjoy.
They prevent trees being cut down, uprooted, topped, lopped, wilfully damaged or destroyed, including cutting roots, without our permission.
Even with a Tree Preservation Order, the owner remains responsible for maintaining the tree and any damage it may cause.
We keep a record of all Tree Preservation Orders in the borough, and you can contact our Tree and Landscape Officer to find out if a tree is protected.
Requesting a Tree Preservation Order
Anything that would typically be considered a tree may be covered by a Tree Preservation Order, so bushes and shrubs cannot be protected.
Protected trees should normally be seen from a public place except in exceptional circumstances. There are no minimum size requirements.
We can make a Tree Preservation Order as a precaution, if there’s reason to believe the tree could be at risk in the future.
How to request a Tree Preservation Order
When you request a Tree Preservation Order, you must clearly tell us which trees you want to protect and state the reasons why it’s important to protect them.
We’ll consider requests for Tree Preservation Orders against 3 main criteria:
the extent to which the tree(s) can be seen by the general public
the tree’s importance in terms of its size, form and how rare it is. We also take into account how it adds to the character or appearance of a conservation area
the significance of the tree(s) where it is sited and the wider impact on the environment
To request a Tree Preservation Order, contact our Tree and Landscape Officer.
Trees in conservation areas
Conservation areas exist to protect the special architectural and historic interest of a place - the features that make it unique and distinctive. Some trees in a conservation area will also be protected by Tree Preservation Orders.
Working on protected trees
If you want to do work on a tree in a conservation area, you must give us 6 weeks’ notice before any work begins, this is known as a Section 211 Notice. This applies to any tree with a trunk diameter of more than 75mm at a height of 1.5 metres above ground level.
If you live in a conservation area, or you are responsible for a private tree with a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), you will need to get permission from us before you do any maintenance work on the tree, or remove the tree.
To carry out work to protected trees, you should apply for consent using the Planning Portal.
If work is done to a protected tree without our permission and the tree is damaged or destroyed, the owner or person carrying out the work can be prosecuted and fined up to £20,000. In serious cases, a person may be sent for trial in the crown court and, if convicted, is liable to an unlimited fine. A replacement tree may also have to be planted.
Report work done to a protected tree without permission
If you suspect that work is being done on a tree protected by a Tree Preservation Order without permission, you should report this to us immediately by contacting the planning enforcement team by email at planning@camden.gov.uk.
Dangerous protected trees
If work needs to be done to a protected tree in an emergency, for example if it’s about to fall or cause harm, you only need to give us 5 days’ notice. Do this by emailing planning@camden.gov.uk, including the location and species of the tree, what the emergency is and what work you need to do.
High hedges
Hedges are an invaluable part of our environment that help to screen development, provide privacy and support a wide variety of wildlife.
A high hedge is a line of two or more evergreen or semi-evergreen trees or shrubs, higher than 2 metres.
To report a high hedge dispute with a neighbour to us, follow the guidance on GOV.UK for how to report anti-social behaviour.
Tree surgeons and consultants
The Arboricultural Association is the professional body for the tree work industry. It has a registered tree contractor and consultant scheme, which they use to monitor companies they have vetted.
If you choose to use a tree work contractor not approved by the Arboricultural Association, you should check that:
the company has the appropriate level of third party and public liability insurance
they are qualified for the work to be carried out
Any reputable tree work contractor or consultant will be happy to provide you with the above information.