Trees

Trees that are subject to Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs), or are located in a conservation area, benefit from legal protection.

Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)

You need to apply to us to do works to trees with a TPO. This includes felling, pruning, reduction and crown lifting. Unauthorised work is a criminal offence.

View more information about trees and TPOs

Trees in conservation areas

Trees within a conservation area are given special protection and there's a presumption in favour of protecting those which make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the conservation area. If you want to fell, top or lop a tree with a trunk over 75 mm in diameter (measured 1.5 metres above the ground) then you must provide us with six weeks written notice of the work. This is to allow us time to assess the impact of the proposal on the character and appearance of the conservation area.

Notify us of proposed works to a tree in a conservation area ^{(PDF, 834kb)}

Southwark protected tree map

You can find out if a property has any trees that benefit from a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), or if they are located within a conservation area, using the Southwark conservation and tree preservation orders map. When viewing the map you can use the TPO link to see a scan of the Tree Preservation Order itself.

Need more information

View government guidance on TPOs and works to trees in conservation areas.

Page last updated: 30 November 2023