Trees and TPOs

Tree Preservation Orders

We have a duty to protect trees in the borough and those which are particularly important are protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs). These orders make it an offence to remove, prune or damage protected trees even if they are on private land. If you want to carry out work on a protected tree, you will need our permission.

For more detailed information on TPOs, click here to visit www.communities.gov.uk 

To find out if a tree has a TPO, please contact the council’s Urban Design and Conservation Team on email: environment@lbhf.gov.uk or telephone: 020 8753 1081.

To apply for permission to work on a tree protected by a TPO, please download the application form below, print it out, fill it in and return it to the Environment Services Department Reception (fax number/postal address given on form).

Trees in Conservation Areas

Even if a tree is not protected by a TPO, it may be in a Conservation Area. If you want to prune or remove a tree on private land in a Conservation Area, you will need to give six weeks' notice to the council. This only applies to trees with a trunk diameter of 75 mm or more. 

For more details on working on a tree in a Conservation Area, click here to visit www.communities.gov.uk 

To find out if a tree is in a Conservation Area please download the  Borough wide Conservation Area map (This is a 9mb pdf and may take some time to download).

To notify us about removing or pruning a tree in a Conservation Area, please download the application form below, print it out, fill it in and return it to the Environment Services Department Reception (fax number/postal address given on form). 

Application form

Application to carry out work on trees subject to TPOs or within a Conservation Area (pdf)