Tree Preservation Orders

Why protect trees?

Trees may be worthy of preservation for their:

• natural beauty
• their contribution to the landscape, or
• because they fulfil a screening function

The value of the trees may be enhanced by their scarcity, and the value of a group of trees or woodland may be collective only. Other factors (such as importance as a wildlife habitat) may be taken into account, but would not alone be enough to warrant an order.

Tree preservation orders are often made when trees are seen as being under threat, but it is not necessary for the risk to be immediate for an order to be made.

If it is felt that trees are at risk generally from development pressures, or are at risk for other reasons, the making of precautionary tree preservation orders may be appropriate.

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Types of trees covered

An order can cover anything from a single tree to woodlands. All types of trees, including hedgerow trees can be covered but not hedges, bushes or shrubs.

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Find out if a tree is covered by an Order

There are currently around 800 orders in Bristol and whilst many are on individual trees there are some group trees.  Bristol is currently in the process of a re-survey of all the existing orders.

You can find out if your tree is covered by a tree preservation order by contacting Customer Services at:

City Development 
Bristol City Council
Brunel House
St George’s Road
Bristol BS1 5UY

Telephone:  0117 922 3097
Email: customerservices.ptsd@bristol.gov.uk

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