Protected trees and conservation areas
If a tree is protected by a tree preservation order (TPO), or it is in a conservation area, the duty of care remains with the landowner.
Find out if a tree is protected
If you want to carry out works to or fell a protected tree, you will need to apply for approval before carrying out the works.
Submit an application on our ezyPortal.
A council officer may come to inspect the tree after you submit your application.
Dangerous protected trees
If a protected tree is posing an imminent danger (for example the tree is about for fall across a road) and pruning or felling the tree is necessary to remove the danger, we recommend:
- You contact a tree specialist for advice and support.
- If possible/safe to do so, you apply to us for an exception before carrying out any works - an exception is a fast track approval to fell a protected tree.
- If not possible/not safe to do so, and the work is urgent to protect life or property, you take detailed photographs/video before carrying out works and retain them as a record - you may be required to prove the tree was dead or dangerous.
- You will also need to plant a replacement tree for any dead/dangerous protected tree you remove.
We do not undertake pre-application site visits, so if you feel that a protected tree does not require a formal application, we strongly recommend you contact a tree specialist for advice and support.
Find out more about tree preservation orders and trees in conservation areas.