Find out if a tree has a tree preservation order

The council is responsible for the efficient management and maintenance of trees within the Authorities area.

The law protects certain trees and groups of trees. Those trees that have Tree Preservations Orders (TPOs) or that fall within a  Conservation Area are protected by legislation that makes it an offence to carry out work on those trees without permission from the Local Authority.

Trees that grow in council owned property or on public open spaces are also protected as they are considered to be council property. Anyone who wilfully damages these can be prosecuted.

The authority has its own professional tree officers who regularly inspect trees to ensure that they are safe, in good condition and to pinpoint any work requirements.

Specialist tree contractors are employed to carry out all appropriate tree maintenance to trees owned by the council.

If you are intending to undertake works to a private tree you are advised to

• Contact the local authority to ensure that the trees are not protected by a Tree Protection Order, planning constraints or by location within a Conservation Area. 
• Always employ a suitably trained professional tree surgeon, who is covered by public liability insurance, (ask for proof)
• Never employ house callers or leaflet droppers claiming to be professional tree surgeons
• Check professional identification and qualification proof. Reputable tree surgeons will always be able to provide this.
• Reputable tree surgeons can be found in the Yellow Pages or contact us for further advice

Trees which are protected by a TPO or fall within a Conservation Areas

If you want to fell or prune a tree protected by a TPO or within a conservation area, you will need to seek consent by completing a TPO application form.

You can contact the planning department to find out whether a particular tree is covered by an order, or whether it's protected because it falls within a conservation area.

Tower Hamlets also keeps a list of trees that are affected by tree preservation orders. You can make an appointment to look at the list at our offices at

Mulberry Place (AH)
PO Box 55739
5 Clove Crescent
London
E14 1BY

For more information about trees, contact the planning department or download a leaflet (pdf  891kb).

You will need Acrobat Reader to view the above leaflets, which is available free of charge from the Adobe website.

Contact details for trees in parks or on highways

E-mail: parks@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Tel: 020 7364 3108
Fax: 020 7364 3186

Contact details for trees on housing estates

E-mail: dave.collison@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Tel: 020 7364 1418
Fax: 020 7364 0814

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